Scientists Search for Rice Nutrient-Loading Genes

Purdue University was given a four-year grant of about $5.5 million by the US National Science Foundation (NSF) to study the molecular and genetic basis of nutrient transport and flow in rice grains. Identification of genes involved in nutrient-loading of the rice grain may allow breeders to develop rice varieties with increased nutrient content.

The project, headed by David Salt, will use current genomic technology to probe into genes that govern the rice grain ionome, or all the grain nutrients and ions. Micronutrients essential to human health, like iron and zinc, will be a particular focus since billions of people suffer from iron or zinc deficiency. Another important goal is to understand the plant’s ability to take up and accumulate harmful elements from the soil. Arsenic and cadmium poisoning are major concerns in Southeast Asia, especially in Bangladesh, because of contaminated water and soil. Discoveries that will be made in this study can also shed light into the genetics of nutrient transport and storage of other crops in the grass family like maize, wheat and barley.

Read more on the project at http://news.uns.purdue.edu/x/2007b/071114SaltRice.html