Maize Artificial Chromosomes

密苏里大学哥伦比亚分校的James Birchler：植物人工染色体技术的发展将建立将一整套性状引入植物的方法。人工染色体平台将通过玉米的转化引入染色体的特殊末端，称为端粒。引入的端粒会导致修改后的染色体被截断。如果这发生在着丝粒附近，在复制和细胞分裂过程中，着丝粒是染色体传递所需的一部分，就形成了一个小染色体。本项目的目标是优化玉米的人工染色体技术。具体目标包括1)确定引入的用于微染色体形成的端粒的最佳大小2)添加可见的标记以跟踪微染色体在世代之间的传递3)添加一个盒以允许将来对微染色体的修改4)确定植物可以耐受多少人工微染色体5)添加可选择的标记以确保微染色体将被转移到杂交中用于玉米育种。人工染色体有可能提高植物对病虫害的抵抗力，提高生物燃料的产量，并使农业可持续发展，包括减少对除草剂和化肥的需求。该项目将涉及研究生、研究生和本科生层面的培训。外展将包括组织一次关于转基因作物和人造染色体技术的会议，新闻专业的学生将参与其中，以培养科学报道技能。有关转基因作物问题的公众教育将通过首席研究员参加在密苏里大学举行的“周六早间科学”讲座来促进。外展活动将汇集科学家讨论植物转基因和人造染色体技术，为高中生和本科生提供了解这一领域的机会，促进科学新闻的发展，并向公众传播植物生物技术的问题。有关生产工程染色体的方法和所产生的各种材料的信息将在http://maizeminichromosomes.missouri.edu.上获得

PI: James Birchler, University of Missouri-ColumbiaThe development of plant artificial chromosome technology will establish methods to introduce whole suites of traits into plants. Artificial chromosome platforms will be produced by introduction of the specialized ends of chromosomes, called telomeres, through transformation of maize. Introduced telomeres cause the modified chromosome to truncate. If this occurs near the centromere, the part of the chromosome required for transmission of chromosomes during replication and cell division, a minichromosome is formed. The goals of this project are to optimize the artificial chromosome technology in maize. Specific goals include 1) determine the optimal size of the introduced telomere for minichromosome formation 2) add visible markers to track transmission of the minichromosome between generations 3) add a cassette to permit future modification of the minichromosome 4) determine how many artificial minichromosomes plants will tolerate 5) add a selectable marker to ensure minichromosomes will be transferred in crosses for corn breeding. Artificial chromosomes have the potential to improve plant resistance to insects and disease, enhance biofuels production, and enable sustainable agriculture including reducing the needs for herbicides and fertilizer.The project will involve training at the postgraduate, graduate and undergraduate levels. Outreach will involve organizing a conference on transgenic crops and artificial chromosome technology with involvement of journalism students to develop science-reporting skills. Education of the general public about transgenic crop issues will be fostered by participation of the principal investigator in the "Saturday Morning Science" lectures at the University of Missouri. The outreach activities will bring together scientists to discuss plant transgenics and artificial chromosome technology, provide opportunities for high school and undergraduates to learn about this field, foster the development of science journalism and communicate issues of plant biotechnology to the general public.Information about methods to produce engineered chromosomes and the availability of the various materials generated will be available at http://maizeminichromosomes.missouri.edu.