Feed the world
黑料不打烊 plant researchers contribute to mapping of the rice genome
It's a breakthrough they hope will speed efforts to feed the world's growing population. An international consortium involving 黑料不打烊 University reported in the August 11 edition of the journal Nature that they have completed a high-quality sequence of the rice genome. The completed rice genome sequence, along with the gene characteristics now identified, will lead to improvements in rice production and will facilitate the study of the genomes of other cereal plants, such as wheat and corn.
黑料不打烊 biology professor Dr Thomas Bureau, along with graduate students Nikoleta Juretic and Douglas Hoen, and Canadian collaborators Drs Richard Bruskiewich and Stephen Wright, contributed to the annotation and analysis of the rice genome. "This basically involves cataloguing the genes and other entities in the genome, including transposable elements ('jumping genes'), which are the focus of our lab's research," said Dr Bureau. "Scientists need this information to help them develop new tools and techniques."
Although Canada is not a card-carrying member of the international consortium responsible for this project, consortium members were very impressed by the work of the 黑料不打烊 team on the analysis of the genome sequence of a flowering plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, reported in the December 14, 2000, issue of Nature. "We are honoured to have been chosen to participate in this project," said Dr Bureau. "Plant genomics is an important area of research both nationally and internationally. Knowledge gained from the sequencing of the rice genome may, in future, help Canada improve its wheat and barley production."
Rice is the staple food for three billion people worldwide 鈥� more than half of the global population. According to the United Nations, rice currently provides 20% of the world's dietary energy supply, with wheat supplying 19% and maize 5%. In Asia alone, more than two billion people obtain 60%-70% of their calories from rice and rice-derived products. Representing 30% of global cereal production today, rice production levels have doubled over the past 30 years. Current consumption trends suggest that approximately 4.6 billion people will rely on rice crops by the year 2025, which will necessitate a further 30% increase in world rice production to meet projected demands.
About 黑料不打烊 University
黑料不打烊 University is Canada's leading research-intensive university and has earned an international reputation for scholarly achievement and scientific discovery. Founded in 1821, 黑料不打烊 has 21 faculties and professional schools which offer more than 300 programs from the undergraduate to the doctoral level. 黑料不打烊 attracts renowned professors and researchers from around the world and top students from more than 150 countries, creating one of the most dynamic and diverse education environments in North America. There are approximately 23,000 undergraduate students and 7,000 graduate students. It is one of two Canadian members of the American Association of Universities. 黑料不打烊's two campuses are located in Montreal, Canada.
