Patents 101

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Functional Molecular Maps and Candidate Gene
Analysis of Switchgrass
Malay C. Saha and Joe H. Bouton Forage
Improvement Division Noble Foundation
Forage Improvement Division
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Background Information
Mapping

• Molecular-function maps are essential tools for
  candidate-gene analysis
• Gene markers can be used for marker-assisted
  selection
• Estimated map length for tetraploid switchgrass
  is 4,617 cM
• 95 genome coverage at 15 cM requires at least
  459 markers

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Rational Genetic linkage maps facilitates
identification of markers associated with traits
of interest. Marker-assisted breeding expedites
cultivar development process in an economic way.
In spite of tremendous importance as biofuel,
switchgrass does not have these resources.

• Objectives
• Identify switchgrass orthologs for genes involved
  in the cell wall composition, carbohydrate
  metabolism, nutrient utilization and biomass
  production
• Map microsatellite and candidate-gene loci onto
  the genetic linkage map of switchgrass
• Comparative mapping with other model species
• Identify QTLs and markers associated with
  biomass, cell wall composition and related traits

• Deliverables
• Molecular markers
• Genetic linkage maps
• QTLs and associated markers

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A. Development of Molecular Markers
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B. Construction of Genetic Linkage Maps
Lowland genotype Alamo
Upland genotype Summer

Pseudo F1 population of 368 genotypes

• Highly diverged genotypes from Alamo and
  Summer were selected to construct a tetraploid
  mapping population
• Population developed at UGA and expanded at the
  Noble, 94 genotypes will be used for mapping
• bi-parental and consensus maps will be
  constructed using single dose markers

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C. Tag Important Traits and QTLs

• 250 genotypes of the mapping population will be
  evaluated in both the greenhouse and field
  experiments (OSU, Noble fields)
• Traits of interest Biomass, P and N uptake,
  carbohydrate metabolism, cell wall components
• Single marker analysis, interval mapping and
  composite interval mapping using JoinMap and
  MAPQTL
• Markers associated with different traits will be
  identified and used in MAS

Mapping population will be evaluated in field
experiments
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Potential Collaborators

• Noble Foundation
• Patrick Zhao, Plant Biology Division
• Michel Udvardi, Plant Biology Division
• Rick Nelson, Plant Biology Division
• Oklahoma State University
• Yanqi Wu, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Proposed Program Size - Personnel Postdoctor
al fellow NOBLE Graduate research assistant
OSU - Equipment and facilities All available
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