Biotech Updates

Aberystwyth University Lands UK Grant to Sequence Ryegrass Genome

May 22, 2009

A £1.6 million (USD 2.5 million) grant from the United Kingdom's Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has been awarded to researchers at the Aberystwyth University working to develop a physical map of the perennial ryegrass genome. Ryegrass is the most commonly cultivated grass in the UK and forms a major component of both agricultural pastures and the grasses that are used in lawns, parks and sports turfs. The project is also supported by Germinal Holdings, Syngenta and ViaLactia Biosciences.

"The physical map of the ryegrass genome will contribute to the development of new grasses which can address issues of sustainability and performance under conditions of climate change," said Ian Armstead researcher at Aberystwyth University. "Additionally, it will lead to a greater understanding of the similarities and differences in makeup between the genomes of the related grass and cereal species, including wheat, oats and barley, upon which we all depend for food security."

The complete article is available at http://www.aber.ac.uk/aberonline/en/archive/2009/05/au7209/