Genetic Map of the bioenergy grass Miscanthus offers insight into grass evolutionTwo new, independently produced chromosome maps of Miscanthus sinensis (an ornamental that likely is a parent of Miscanthus giganteus, a biofuels crop) are a first step toward sequencing the M. sinensis genome. The studies reveal how a new plant species with distinctive traits can arise as a result of chromosome duplications and fusions.
BGI Completes Sequencing Of Foxtail Millet GenomeScientists have successfully completed the analysis and genome sequence of foxtail millet (Setaria italica). Foxtail millet is the second most widely grown kind of millet.
Genomes of Mango, Pomegranate Pathogens DecodedIndian scientists have decoded the complete genome sequence of bacteria affecting two important fruits of the country — mango and pomegranate.
Nature Highlights Advancements in BiocatalysisHighlights potential impact on the production of biofuels, renewable chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
$1 million grant to help UGA scientists uncover hidden soybean genesUsing a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation, University of Georgia researcher Wayne Parrott hopes to uncover more uses for the popular legume.
Homegrown Israeli idea for conquering the world food shortage - Immunizing the crops with a virus!A small startup on a moshav has come up with a way to immunize plants to make them genetically resistant to disease. The U.S. government found the technology so promising that it's helping to fund pre-field trial tests.
Fine mapping wheat genesDr Martin Trick and Dr Cristobal Uauy have recently published a new study that applies next generation sequencing techniques to wheat and shows how it can aid in fine mapping genes to the level needed by the plant breeding community more quickly and efficiently than has been possible before.
Agri-Genomics Scientist Honored by International Cotton Advisory Committee Dr. Yusuf Zafar from Pakistan and Dr. Andrew Paterson from the USA win the awards. Dr. Paterson is a speaker at the upcoming meeting on Agri-Genomics in Frankfurt, Germany in September 4-5, 2012
Producing Everyday Plastics from BiomassUMass chemical engineers and collaborators discover a high-yield method for producing plastic bottles from biomass.
Sunflower gene spliced into soybean to boost yield in ArgentinaResearchers in Argentina have isolated a drought-resistant sunflower gene and spliced it into soy, bolstering hopes for improved yields as the South American agricultural powerhouse grapples with global warming.
