Global Expression Studies of the Arabidopsis Genome

The elucidation of the DNA sequence of the 120 Mb Arabidopsis genome by the end of this year is estimated to reveal the presence of approximately 25,000 genes (1 gene/4.5 kb) using various computational approaches. In order for this vast amount of information to be useful to plant biologists, a second Arabidopsis genome project is required that aims at the characterization of the expression pattern(s) of the entire genome. Experimental identification of all the transcriptional units and the construction of full-length cDNAs for all the genes in the Arabidopsis genome is in progress. Such an endeavor will allow the precise determination of the molecular mass of each protein encoded by each transcriptional unit. The approach is highly cost effective because it bypasses the "one-by-one" approach.

The central focus of our program is the development of molecular resources (infrastructure) for the entire Plant Biology Community by utilizing emerging genomic technologies for understanding various aspects of plant growth and development. The program takes advantage of the soon to be completed Arabidopsis genomic sequence and the advent of new genomic technologies to achieve this long term goal. The investigators of this Consortium proposal entitled: "Global Expression Studies of the Arabidopsis Genome", include the laboratories of Joseph R. Ecker (PI), Salk Institute, Athanasios Theologis (Co-PI), PGEC, and Ronald W. Davis (Co-PI), Stanford University.