26 Sep 2011Bayer CropScience AG and Evogene Ltd. have reached a milestone in their joint research collaboration in wheat. Utilizing Evogene’s proprietary tools, more than 200,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms ('SNPs') across the wheat genome were identified as part of the companies’ efforts to improve wheat through the application of advanced breeding techniques.
SNPs are single-nucleotide substitutions of one base in the genome and a powerful type of molecular marker for traits improvement. Identifying SNPs across the wheat genome is an essential step towards improving desired traits in wheat through advanced breeding. The wheat genome is both complex and very large – approximately five times the size of the human genome – which creates a major challenge for breeders in implementing advanced breeding techniques. The identification of a significant number of SNP markers improves the overall understanding of the wheat genome, and therefore facilitates the utilization of this knowledge to deliver desirable improvements in wheat.
http://greenbio.checkbiotech.org/news/bayer_cropscience_and_evogene_achieve_milestone_wheat_genetics_research
