Notes from the first meeting of the International Brachypodium Initiative (IBI)

San Diego, 16 Jan 2006

Purpose

The aim of the meeting was to establish links between researchers using Brachypodium as an experimental plant and form the International Brachypodium Initiative (IBI). The IBI aims to foster a collaborative framework that promotes and supports research using this exceptionally promising temperate grass as a reference species for comparative and functional genomics, biological investigation and strategic research in crop improvement and biomass. The IBI is founded on the principles of open access to biological materials and immediate access to sequences and genomic information with no encumbrances. The IBI aims to establish a long-term, inclusive and diverse research programme that includes the following objectives:

1. Develop a set of community standard lines that are genetically well- defined and distribute these to all researchers free of encumbrances.
    

2. Promote the development and distribution of genomic and genetic resources such as BAC libraries, genetic markers and mapping populations.
    

3. Initiate a genome sequencing programme.
    

4. Establish collaborative links with other researchers e.g. in comparative genomics of crops.
    

5. Develop a web portal and genome database to link the research community, promote discussion and provide access to data, lines and other information.

1. Establishing and distributing Community Standard Lines

To promote B. distachyon as a reference species, research should be focused on a small number of well-characterised lines. Some initial criteria for selecting these lines includes cytogenetic and phenotypic characterisation, an established provenance and free availability of lines. Currently there are two main sources of lines- from the Draper lab in Aberystwyth and the Garvin lab in Minnesota. Most work has been done using four diploid lines, Bd3-1, Bd21 and ABR1/5.

The characteristics of these lines are summarised below.
 

2. Development of common resources and joint projects.

• Distribute common set of single seed descent-derived inbred diploid lines (Garvin).

• Assess genetic diversity in the 5 .standard. Garvin single-seed descent lines by development of a set of genetic markers (Garvin, Bevan et al).

• Establish crosses and genetic maps of at least two ss descent lines. Prepare DNA from crosses and distribute these for assessment (Garvin, Bevan).

• Establish markers for comparative genetic mapping (Bevan).

• Improve Agrobacterium-mediated transformation efficiency (Vogel et al).

• Examine meiotic behaviour and perform more detailed cytogenetic studies of ss lines (Hasterok et al)

• Create and distribute BAC libraries (Gu/Vogel,, Bevan/Chalhoub).

• Establish physical maps of Bd21 (Gu/Vogel, and Bd3-1 (Bevan/Chalhoub).

• Submit proposals for EST (Mockler) and WGS (Vogel/Garvin/Bevan) sequencing.

• Make full-length cDNA libraries and design oligonucleotide microarrays (Mockler, Michael).

• Establish Brachypodium web site, list server and genomic database (Mockler).

• Establish functional genomics resources- EMS (Garvin, Vogel) , FN (Hazen) and deletogen (Garvin, Kianian) mutagenised populations, sequence-tagged T-DNA (Vogel) and transposon insertion (Sedbrook, Vogel) populations.

• Obtain letters of support for Brachypodium work as a model system for temperate grasses.