Technique to Maximize Use of Wild Genes

Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in collaboration with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and Sydney University have developed a technique that enables making the most of wild genes. Wheat breeders, for instance, rely on wild relatives of wheat as sources of effective resistance genes. However, since these come in large blocks it is often difficult to exclude undesirable genes.

The technique targets potentially valuable genes but disregards other genes. CSIRO reports that the team began with two blocks of genes from two different Thinopyrum grass species, each positioned on the same wheat chromosome and with a number of resistance genes. Conditions were then created to 'recombine' the blocks to bring together rust and and Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) resistances but excluded detrimental genes. The new recombined chromosomes involve pieces from three different species. The result is a stable disease resistance 'package' for wheat breeders without the associated undesirable genes.

See CSIRO's release at http://www.pi.csiro.au/enewsletter/previousEditions/020story1.htm