Piecing Together the Soybean Genome
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| Randy Shoemaker |
Recently, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy jointly announced they would begin to sequence the whole soybean genome. The soybean mapping work of Randy Shoemaker will both benefit from and aid in the sequencing project.
Shoemaker, a USDA geneticist in the agronomy department and a member for the Center for Plant Genomics, is part of a research team that is integrating the physical map of the soybean with the plant's genetic map. The project, funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, is led by Scott Jackson from Purdue University.
A genetic map shows the order of genes, and whether traits, such as leaf shape and seed color, are linked or independent. If traits are inherited together frequently, the genes that control them are linked, and are probably located closely together on the chromosome. Traits inherited together less frequently are controlled by genes that are probably farther apart.
Shoemaker explained that if the genetic map is simply a collection of signposts that indicate where linked and independent genes are, anchoring the physical map to the genetic map is essentially filling in the details between signposts—building DNA bridges and locating the genes between the signposts.
The physical map contains the DNA code (sequences made up of A, C, G, T) for each gene. It is created by cutting up the long strand of molecule that makes a chromosome, and putting the pieces back together by finding overlapping patterns in the DNA.
“Alone, a physical map has limited usefulness, but together with a genetic map they will allow researchers to zero in on specific genes,” said Shoemaker.
He added that the soybean community has come together quickly in the last few years thanks to collaborative efforts of funders and researchers. Prior to the tri-agency effort between NSF, USDA and DOE, the United Soybean Board supported projects to build the infrastructure of these current projects.
Shoemaker will be one of three scientists from the soybean research community who will work closely with DOE on the sequencing project.
