Dr. John Platten
Dr. Tobias Kretzschmar

To validate candidate genes identified from whole-genome sequencing analyses as potentially controlling QTLs of agronomic importance. Traits under investigation are: Salinity tolerance Drought tolerance Anaerobic germination tolerance Seedling vigor Grain nutrient content Submergence tolerance Stagnant flooding tolerance Chalkiness Krantz anatomy Iron toxicity tolerance Aluminium toxicity tolerance

All work is to be conducted inside approved biosafety facilities (GGL, GTL, CL4) proof against typhoon, earthquake and flood. Seeds are to be stored in approved facilities (CL4) proof against typhoon, flood and earthquake. Materials to be disposed of by heat sterilization (autoclaving) and/or deep burial as per DOST-BC approved guidelines and under due supervision of the BPI-PEQS and the IRRI-IBC. Institutional contingency plans for accidental release are in place.

a) All activities shall be conducted at the Genetics and Genomics Laboratory, Genetic Transformation Laboratory and CL4 Transgenic Laboratory and Glasshouse of the International Rice Research Institute (lRRl) in Los Baños, Laguna.

b) The proponent shall adhere as closely as possible to the schedule of activities reflected in the submitted Gantt chart.

c) Any modifications in the schedule of activities shall be made with the concurrence of the lRRl-IBC and the DOST-BC.

d) A biosafety contingency plan shall be submitted before the conduct of the experiment.

e) The proponent shall inform which activities would require the presence of the IRRI-IBC, DOST-BC and PEQS-BPI personnel.

f) The proponent shall ensure that only the DOST-BC authorized personnel are allowed inside the experimental facilities.

g) The DOST-BC and PEQS-BPI personnel should be informed in advance of any visitations by unauthorized persons.

h) The DOST-BC and the PEQS-BPI personnel shall be informed immediately of any intrusion by unauthorized persons.

i) The proponent shall ensure that stray animals are excluded from the experimental facilities while tests are being conducted.

j) In case of undue destruction of experimental materials resulting from unauthorized entry of personnel or breach of containment of experimental facilities, the proponent shall implement measures to prevent the inadvertent escape of any viable material within the facility.

k) The proponent and the supervising IBC shall be held accountable for the undue destruction of the experimental materials and the consequences that their inadvertent escape may cause to the surrounding environment.

l) All viable materials within the experiment area shall be accounted for.

m) The proponent shall strictly observe proper disposal procedures for all materials.

n) Movement of all materials will be done in compliance with all relevant biosafety and phytosanitary requirements of the Philippines.

o) Any additional requirement that the DOST-BC may impose, as necessary, for the duration of the experiment shall be complied with.

p) The proponent shall submit through the IBC a completion report within 90 days after completion of the experiment.

q) The IBC shall submit to the DOST-BC a report on the completion of this project, in the prescribed format.

Significant progress has been made worldwide in identifying regions of the rice genome that confer traits needed in plant breeding efforts.  These include such traits as tolerance to abiotic stresses (salinity, drought, anaerobic germination, submergence, stagnant flooding, iron toxicity, aluminium toxicity), grain quality (grain nutrient content, chalkiness) and anatomical features (Krantz anatomy).  However despite the success in identifying genomic regions controlling these, the translation of this success into breeding gains has been limited, due largely to the difficulties in utilizing large genomic regions in breeding processes.  To overcome this it is necessary to identify the specific gene and mutation that confers the observed trait, from which markers diagnostic for the trait can then be designed.

The purpose of this project is to evaluate candidate genes from these genomic regions to identify which is controlling the trait, thus providing the information needed for diagnostic marker design.  Candidate genes from donor and recipient rice varieties (Oryza sativa L.) will be transformed back into appropriate recipient rice varieties (Oryza sativa L.) to determine their effects on the trait of interest.  Cloning, transformation and evaluation of lines will all occur in approved laboratory and glasshouse facilities at IRRI (Genetics and Genomics Laboratory, Genetic Transformation Laboratory, CL4 glasshouse facility).  No field work is to be conducted.

Upon successful identification of a causal gene/mutation, this information will be used to design diagnostic markers for use in conventional breeding efforts.  No transgenic products are produced; these are only required for trait evaluation - to confirm the involvement of specific genes - not for breeding.  As there is large and ongoing need for this work, the initial phase of the project will stretch over 5 years.