July 14, 2006

US lab aims to unlock genetic secrets of agricultural produce

The ARS Mid South Area Genomics Laboratory in Stoneville, Mississippi has launched a project to investigate genetic secrets of catfish, cotton, soybeans and other crops.

Scientists at the lab aim to improve these commodities by learning more about their genetic makeup.

The genomics lab was formed in 2000 to meet the genetic sequencing needs of 14 research locations in five states.

High-throughput DNA sequencers, robotics, bioinformatics computers, and other modern equipment would be used to conduct marker-assisted breeding.

Researchers aim to use the genetic information gleaned from these efforts to find solutions to agricultural problems.

Some of the technology pioneered by the lab, such as DNA fingerprinting, would be helpful in identifying genes affecting catfish production traits and is expected to contribute to efforts to determine the catfish genome.