UW-Madison scientists played role in potato genome project
Twenty UW-Madison researchers, including plant geneticist Jiming Jiang, collaborated with an international consortium to successfully sequence and analyze the potato genome. The UW team contributed to the consortium through its uncovering of important information regarding the structure of the potato’s 12 chromosomes. The researchers revealed unique physical characteristics of the 12 chromosomes, such as the location of gene-rich and gene-poor regions.
Outcomes
The consortium has found more than 39,000 genes and is expected to speed potato research and breeding projects around the world. Potatoes are difficult to breed due to that fact that their cells contain four copies of each chromosome, and this study will increase the industry’s understanding of the potato’s makeup to increase the likelihood of successfully breeding disease-resistant genes in potatoes.
Focus Areas
Project Leader
- Department/Unit
- Department of Genetics
- School or College
- College of Agricultural and Life Sciences