The Plant Genome Research Program

1. The Plant Genome Research Program • What are the research questions being supported for the activity and where did they come from? • What makes the program transformative? • What does the program teach us about growing a budget for a major research activity? BIO AC Meeting November 17, 2005 Machi F. Dilworth DD/DBI

2. NSF Plant Genome Research Programand the National Plant Genome Initiative NSF’s Plant Genome Research Program is Part of the National Plant Genome Initiative (NPGI) • NPGI is coordinated by and managed by the Interagency • Working Group (IWG) on Plant Genomes, the National Science • and Technology Council (NSTC) • IWG was established at the request of Sen. Bond in May 1997 to • develop a plan for a national plant genome initiative • IWG issued a preliminary plan in June 1997, the first five year • plan for the NPGI in January 1998, and the second five year plan • in January 2003

3. NPGI’s Long-term Goals • To understand the structure, organization and function of plant genomes of economic importance, and plant processes of added economic value • To accelerate knowledge transfer to agriculture, forestry, energy, environment, health, and all other • current and future plant-based • industries

4. National Plant Genome Initiative Guiding Principles • A long-term project • Future planning based on scientific developments • Open and timely access to the research products • Interagency activity coordinated through NSTC • Support provided on a competitive basis with peer review • Partnership with private sector and other nations

5. NSF’s Plant Genome Research Program Budget Based on the June 1997 preliminary plan for the National Plant Genome Initiative, Congress appropriated $40M to NSF for plant genome research in the FY1998 budget

6. NSF’s Plant Genome Research Program: Management Practices • BIO viewed this gift from Congress as a rare opportunity to make a major difference in the field of plant biology • Entire budget remains in the program: • Large budgets allow BIO to support large/complex projects to • make scientific advances, to build infrastructure (research resources • and human resources) that enables everyone to participate in • plant genomics research, and to take risks • Funds used to support activities to benefit all BIO programs • (e.g., Venture Funds, IGERT, databases, stock centers) • Sharing outcomes is a condition of every award • Hands-on award management • Communicating progress to the appropriators

7. Status of Plant Genomics Science1997 vs. 2005

8. Sample Plant Genome Projects • Domestication of Corn • Sex Chromosomes in Papaya • Gramene • Functional Genomics Analysis of • Fruit Flavor and Nutrition Pathways • Soybean Seed Development • Polyploidy 1N 2N 3N 4N • Chromatin Control of Gene Expression • Floral Genome Project

9. The National Plant Genome Initiative: Accomplishments • World leadership in fundamental research in plant genomics • Changed plant biology forever • Attracted students to plant biology research • Opened up “Omics” era for plant biology • Enabled to address long-standing, complex questions in plant biology such as epigenetics, polyploidy, environmental stress tolerance, etc.

10. NSF’s Plant Genome Research Program Key Factors behind Progress • Both the community and NSF BIO were ready for a large infusion of funds for plant genome research • Adherence to the NSF’s policies and procedures in managing the Program • Steady increase in funding • Active participation in the National Plant Genome Initiative in developing long-range plans and documenting progress • Sustained broad community support • Sustained Congressional support • Sustained NSF support • AD/BIO’s leadership