Developing Large Dataset for Rice Plant Using Small RNAs

Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a large dataset of gene sequences in rice, which will help promote an increased understanding of how genes work in rice, a staple food for much of the world's population. Using advanced gene sequencing technologies and high-powered computer-based approaches, plant biologist Blake Meyers and colleagues examined both normal gene expression (via messenger ribonucleic acids, or mRNAs) as well as small ribonucleic acids (small RNAs) in rice.

For many years small RNAs were considered unimportant because of their size, but small RNAs are now known to play an important role in gene regulation. "Small RNAs also have been associated with other important biological processes, such as responses to stress," Meyers said. "Many of small RNAs in rice have related sequences in the many important cereal crop plants, including maize and wheat." Research on small RNAs is being seen as a leading edge in plant biotechnology.

The news release is available at http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=108455&org=olpa&from=news.