Seed Systems

The economic value generated in Canada from crop agriculture is primarily from seeds. Seed products cover a wide range of end uses: food, animal feed, industrial feedstocks, biofuels, chemicals, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals. Thus, the seed and seed products industries contribute significantly to the Canadian economy. As an example, the Canola Council of Canada estimates that the value of the canola industry to Canada is $11B annually.
 
NRC-PBI is supported through various funding sources, including the NRC Genomics and Health Initiative (GHI) and Genome Canada to apply genomics tools for the understanding of seed development and metabolic processes. Advances in genomics research provide new opportunities for plant breeding where the linkage of genes to particular seed traits can lead to more efficient and predictable outcomes in breeding programs. Furthermore, these projects also have resulted in the identification of specific genes that can be used for crop improvement via transgenic technologies.

NRC-PBI is focused on oilseed systems, such as canola, rapeseed and flax. A significant investment has been made in generating genomics resources for Brassica species representing several important crops including canola (B. napus, B. rapa), industrial rapeseed (B. napus), and condiment mustard (B. juncea). Furthermore, NRC-PBI is collaborating in efforts to develop new crucifer seed crops from Camelina sativa and Brassica carinata.

NRC-PBI has generated a comprehensive database of Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs), primarily representing genes expressed during canola seed development. Furthermore, the ESTs have allowed the development of Brassica-specific DNA microarrays which are key tools for the study of developmental seed processes. In addition to these genomics resources, proteomics, metabolomics, bioinformatics, and transgenic technologies are used at NRC-PBI to develop an integrated understanding of the biological processes occurring in Brassica seeds. The overall objectives are to improve oil quality, composition, and quantity; seed yield; seedling vigour; and nutritional value of the meal.

As a result of the various seed systems research programs, the NRC-PBI team has identified numerous novel genetic elements that significantly affect seed performance and quality. NRC-PBI researchers are now focusing on exploring and quantifying the positive effects of several of these lead candidate genes. For example a recently identified hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase gene has shown promise as a means of improving plant growth, yield, and stress tolerance (Li et al, 2007, A putative hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase involved in regulating plant growth and development. Plant Physiol. 145(1):87-97)

In addition, NRC-PBI researchers have discovered that transgenic plants over-expressing a glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene grow better under phosphorus limited conditions. This technology, if verified under field conditions, represents a novel way to engineer crops for more efficient utilization of phosphate thus reducing input costs. Furthermore, decreased P-fertilizer applications for the same yields would address some of the environmental concerns associated with modern agricultural practices.

NRC-PBI is also conducting flax genomics research using a similar range of tools and expertise. Flax ESTs make up a large portion of the NAPGEN resource, a comprehensive inventory of genetic sequences derived from plant species that produce health-enhancing natural products.

Brassica Programs and Projects

NRC GHI program

The National Research Council's Genomics and Health Initiative (GHI) was launched in 1999 in order to bring the benefits of revolutionary advances in genomicsand health research to a variety of Canadian industrial sectors and regions. Through this initiative the NRC is making key contributions to national efforts to exploit advances in the areas of genomics and health. These advances are being achieved by building upon NRC's expertise in its biotechnology research institutes, as well as regional innovation networks across the country.

The NRC GHI has funded genomics efforts at NRC-PBI over several years. Recently, a program on Brassica genomics, entitled Biorenewable Oils for Food and Fuel, was approved for funding in phase 4 to be started in April 2008.

Information on various phases of the program can found in the following links:
Phase 1 (1999-2002)
Phase 2 (2002-2005)
Phase 3 (2005-2008)

Genome Canada / Genome Centre Projects

NRC-PBI contributed to the successful completion of two Genome Canada projects, both managed by Genome Prairie: Functional Genomics of Abiotic Stress (FGAS) and the Enhancing Canola through Genomics project (ECTG). NRC-PBI is now co-leading the Designing Oilseeds for Tomorrow's Markets project (DOTM) managed by Genome Alberta.

"Enhancing Canola Through Genomics" $9.0M (2003-06)

This is a Genome Canada/ Genome Prairie Phase 2 project was led by NRC-PBI, in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The goal of the "Enhancing Canola Through Genomics" project is to develop and employ genomics tools for the study of seed development and composition in Brassica oilseed crops. For more information, click here.

"Designing Oilseeds for Tomorrow's Markets" $14.8M (2006-10)

This is a Genome Canada/Genome Alberta Phase 3 project led by the University of Alberta and NRC-PBI. The project represents a comprehensive and strategically based functional genomics dissection of Brassica (canola and related species) seed quality. This project focuses on the development of yellow seed coat color the and reduction of fiber and antinutritional compounds to improve meal quality. The DOTM has a budget of $14.8M over 4 years, starting June 1st 2006. In addition to a German international consortium and NRC-PBI, seven Canadian research institutions are involved in the project (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Alberta Research Council, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of Calgary, University of Manitoba and University of Saskatchewan). Three research officers from PBI are contributing to this project as principal investigators. NRC-PBI technology platforms (plant cell technologies, DNA sequencing, bioinformatics, plant hormone profiling, and proteomics) also provide services to this project. For more information, click here.

"Improving Brassica Oil Content" IBOC

The IBOC project which started in April 2007 is a collaboration with the University of Alberta. This three year project is supported by funding from the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan and co-managed by Genome Alberta and Genome Prairie with approximately $700K directly supporting NRC-PBI investigators over the duration of the project.

The major research objectives of the project include:

(1) the characterization of key genetic factors that regulate embryo and seed size, (2) the study of the transcriptome of the embryo and endosperm of Brassica in order to develop insights into the interactions among the embryo, endosperm and the developing seed coat, and (3) increased understanding the role of seed coat as a factor in oil deposition, thereby leading to novel strategies for increaseing canola oil content.

The B. rapa International Sequencing Project

The objective of this project is to sequenc the B. rapa genome, one of the parents of B. napus. In collaboration with AAFC, NRC-PBI has contributed to the BAC end sequencing of approximately 27,000 clones. Other countries contributing to phase 1 are South Korea, China, UK, Germany and Australia. Some of these countries have initiated the sequencing of 5 chromosomes. NRC-PBI in collaboration with AAFC will undertake sequencing of 2 B. rapa chromosomes. For more information, click here.

Brassica Genomics Resources

The Brassica genomics resources were developed with funding from the NRC-Genomics Health Initiative program (GHI) and the Genome Canada/Prairie/Alberta projects, Enhancing Canola through Genomics (ECTG) and Designing Oilseeds for Tomorrow's Markets (DOTM).

Brassica ESTs

NRC-PBI has generated more than 430,000 Brassica ESTs. These ESTs have been submitted to GenBank and constitute the largest contribution to the DNA public database. These ESTs have been integrated with AAFC ESTs and can be accessed here.

Brassica Microarrays

NRC-PBI has been involved in the development of two types of microarrays for gene expression studies.

Brassica cDNA array developed in collaboration with NRC-BRI. The cDNA array was developed from approximately 60,000 ESTs predominately from Brassica seeds. The analysis of these sequences identified 10,642 unigenes that were used for the preparation of a targeted seed cDNA array. A set of 10,642 PCR primer pairs was designed and corresponding amplicons produced for spotting, along with relevant controls. Critical quality control tests produced satisfactory results for use of these slides in biological experiments.

The Brassica 90k oligo array is being developed with AAFC using the CombiMatrix technology. The first protopype has been successfully completed. It is currently being validated to ensure that it can be reused. It is expected that this array will be available to the Brassica genomics researchers in 2008. Check here for updates.

Related Information

Institutes:

• NRC Plant Biotechnology Institute