Milling & Baking News - August 28, 2018 - 28

Milling Technology

Researchers decipher complex
wheat genome code
BETHESDA, MD. - The Interna- reference sequences were produced.
"The publication of the wheat reftional Wheat Genome Sequencing
Consortium (I.W.G.S.C.) on Aug. 16 erence genome is the culmination of
published a detailed description of the the work of many individuals who
genome of bread wheat, an effort that came together under the banner of the
researchers believe will pave the way I.W.G.S.C. to do what was considered
for the development of wheat variet- impossible," said Kellye Eversole, exies that are better adapted to climate ecutive director of the I.W.G.S.C. "The
challenges, have higher yields and method of producing the reference seenhanced nutritional quality, and im- quence and the principles and policies
of the consortium provide a model for
proved sustainability.
The description of the genome of sequencing large, complex plant gethe bread variety Chinese Spring ap- nomes and reaffirms the importance
pears in the international journal
Science.
The findings represent 13 years
of collaborative international research from more than 200 scientists from 73 research institutions
in 20 countries, the I.W.G.S.C.
said.
According to the I.W.G.S.C.,
the completion of the reference
genome sequence will give breeders more tools at their disposal to
address the many challenges that
face wheat and its role in global
food security. The I.W.G.S.C. cited
data suggesting wheat productiv- ©VIKITORA_SAP - STOCK.ADOBE.COM
ity needs to increase by 1.6% each year of international collaborations for adto meet the demands of a global popu- vancing food security."
In addition to the sequence of the
lation that is expected to reach 9.6 bil21 chromosomes, the Science article
lion by 2050.
With the genome, the hope is that also presents the precise location of
breeders now will be able to more 107,891 genes and of more than 4 milrapidly identify genes and regulatory lion molecular markers, as well as
elements underlying complex agro- sequence information between the
nomic traits such as yield, grain qual- genes and markers containing the
ity and resistance to fungal diseases, regulatory elements influencing the
expression of genes.
the I.W.G.S.C. said.
Publication of the complete genome
"The wheat genome sequence lets
us look inside the wheat engine," said of bread wheat elicited strong reRudi Appels, University of Melbourne sponses across the industry.
"It is a dream come true for Kansas
and Murdoch University professor
and AgriBio research fellow. "What wheat farmers, who were the first to
we see is beautifully put together to invest in the wheat genome sequencallow for variation and adaptation to ing project and were pivotal in rallydifferent environments through selec- ing U.S. wheat farmers in support of
tion, as well as sufficient stability to the wheat genome sequencing projmaintain basic structures for survival ect," said Bikram Gill, distinguished
professor emeritus of plant patholunder various climatic conditions."
The bread wheat genome not only is ogy at Kansas State University who
huge - it's five times larger than the organized the first National Science
human genome - it's also complex, Foundation and U.S. Department of
workshop
and researchers for many years consid- Agriculture-sponsored
ered breaking the code a near impos- planning meeting on wheat genome
sible task. The I.W.G.S.C. said it expects sequencing in Washington in 2003.
Jesse Poland, associate professor
industry to see benefits similar to those
observed with corn and rice after their at K.S.U. and director of the Wheat
28 / August 28, 2018

Milling & Baking News

Genetics Resource Center and the U.S.
Agency for International Development
Innovation Lab for Applied Wheat Genomics, said it was "exciting" to be a
part of the landmark achievement.
"This international effort, toward
something that was once deemed impossible, will have tremendous impact
on wheat in Kansas and the world,"
Mr. Poland said.
Curtis Pozniak, researcher and
wheat breeder at the Crop Development Centre in the University of
Saskatchewan's College of Agriculture and Bioresources, said he
was proud to be part of a research
team that made a discovery with
the potential for "disruptive innovation in wheat improvement."
"Essentially we have completed
the wheat genome jigsaw puzzle
with all the pieces put together in
their correct positions and order,
providing an enormous advantage for breeders when searching
for genes that control important
traits in the crop," Mr. Pozniak
said. "This breakthrough research
will help produce better wheat varieties over the long term."
With the wheat genome now sequenced, the I.W.G.S.C. said the next
step will be focusing on producing
a genome sequenced-based toolbox
for breeders and scientists to use for
wheat improvement. The I.W.G.S.C.
said researchers will undertake several projects, including maintaining
and improving the current reference
genome to ultimately produce a "Gold
Standard" reference genome sequence
that is manually and functionally annotated; sequencing other varieties
of wheat in order to represent the
worldwide diversity of wheat; and
continuing to develop a database for
the wheat community to access all the
genomic resources.
The I.W.G.S.C., with 2,400 members
in 68 countries, is an international,
collaborative consortium, established
in 2005 by a group of wheat growers,
plant scientists and public and private
breeders. The goal of the I.W.G.S.C.
is to make a high-quality genome sequence of bread wheat publicly available, in order to lay a foundation for
basic research that will enable breeders to develop improved varieties. MBN
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