The development of mini-chromosomes can significantly enhance the range of manipulations possible for important crops. These mini-chromosomes will remain distinct from the host genome and make it feasible to deliver very large DNA segments, including those that encode all of the genes in a complex pathway. This project will construct mini-chromosomes based on the fractionation of centromeric DNA from soybean and maize genomes. In Phase I, DNA from soybean and maize seedlings will be harvested, and DNA fragments containing centromere-specific modifications or centromere-specific repeats will be purified. These fragments will be cloned and sequenced. In Phase II these clones will be combined with other chromosome components to yield mini-chromosomes. Commercial Applications And Other Benefits as described by awardee: This project should impact agricultural biotechnology by enabling the transfer of multiple genes into a plant. Future applications include synthesis of biomaterials and pharmaceuticals, plants with improved yield and nutritional value, and environmentally friendly specialty chemicals.
