Dr. Amelia Henry and Gloria Coruzzi

The objective of this project is to compare N-by-W gene expression patterns in drought-adapted vs. non-adapted rice varieties across their lifecycle. This will identify N-by-W response genes that correlate with biomass, enabling the prioritizing candidates for rice transgenics, with the goal to improve rice production on non-fertilized, drought stressed soils.

Experiments will be conducted in the approved transgenic facilities Genetic Transformation Laboratory (GTL), transgenic greenhouse (CL4) and seed storage (transgenic seed lab) and screenhouse TG-02 at IRRI. Access to these facilities are restricted and monitored. All transgenic rice seeds that will be generated from the experiments will only be stored in the dedicated storage area. Seeds will be kept for confined testing and vegetative material will either be ploughed under or disposed of in designated disposal pits.

Handling of transgenic materials like movement and disposal and other necessary biosafety measures will be observed and implemented following guidelines set by IRRI’s Biosafety Office and IRRI’s Stewardship Implementation Team.

Researchers that will be working on the transgenic materials are required to attend training and orientation on the proper handling of transgenic materials and will need to pass the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) Course. IRRI also implements stewardship practices that meet Excellence Through Stewardship standard meant to complement Biosafety.