October 3, 2006

US research centre expands into genome mapping

The National Centre for Soy Biotechnology (NCSB) recently expanded into Soy Genome Mapping Facility, at the University of Missouri (MU), Columbia.

The Missouri Soy Association (MSA) applauded the move. NCSB scientists are working to develop improved soy varieties to keep the US producers competitive in the marketplace.

The facility is instrumental in helping Missouri soy producers develop improved soy varieties, said Dale R. Ludwig, executive director/CEO, MSA.  Missouri remains ahead of the class in life science research through funding by US senators Kit Bond and Jim Talent.

Renovations supported by Bond and the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources doled out US$2 million for setting up crop genomics laboratories. The funding was also backed by a National Science Foundation grant and matching funds programme which together accounted for more than US$1 million for genome mapping equipment.

The University was recently designated by the US Congress as the site for the new NCSB. The foundation for this National Centre was the Centre for Soy Genomics and Biotechnology, previously formed at MU in support of interdisciplinary research on the genomic structure and function of soy genes. The ultimate goal of the NCSB is to provide innovative molecular approaches to improve soy variety.

The NCSB is a collaborative programme among scientists at the MU, the USDA's Agricultural Research Service Plant Genetics Unit in Columbia and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Centre in St. Louis. More than 25 researchers with expertise in fields like agronomy, microbiology and plant pathology work together here.

Scientists working in the centre also continue to be highly competitive for other funding from a variety of sources, including the Missouri Soy Merchandising Council, federal agencies and private industry.

The NCSB also looks forward to fostering research partnerships with institutions in other regions, particularly the midwestern and southern states, where soy is widely cultivated.  The research would focus on tackling problems affecting soy production and its use.

The Centre also provides educational opportunities and outreach services to students, producers, public agencies and consumers.