www.checkbiotech.org ; www.czu.cz ; www.raupp.info

The Potato Genome Sequencing Consortium will start with the sequencing of
the first potato chromosome, a project for which the Dutch government has
today decided to make 3 million euros available. Dutch researchers, working
together with a worldwide group of research organisations, aim to complete
the sequencing of the potato genome by the end of 2010. With this, they hope
to make a contribution to the future global food supply, April 2006.

The Potato Genome Sequencing Consortium (PGSC) is an initiative of the
Netherlands Genomics Initiative (NGI) and the Wageningen University and
Research Centre (WUR). PGSC is a consortium of research teams from sixteen
different countries, who together have accepted the challenge of determine
the complete DNA sequence of potato. Other participating countries are
Brazil, Chile, Peru, Canada, the United States, Denmark, France, Ireland,
Poland, Turkey, Great Britain, the Russian Federation, India, China and New
Zealand. All activities are coordinated from Wageningen, where the potato
genome database will also be maintained.

The potato genome consists of twelve different chromosomes. All partners of
the consortium have chosen the chromosomes, on which to focus their
sequencing efforts. In order to give all partners a flying start,
researchers from Wageningen have conducted a great deal of preparatory work.
For example, they have developed DNA libraries that the partners can access,
as well as creating a map of the twelve chromosomes.

The Dutch government has now decided to provide financing, both for the
sequencing of chromosome #1 and the coordination of the entire consortium.
Wageningen University is still eager to find Dutch partners to help finance
the sequencing of their other chosen chromosome #5.

A total of 3 million euros has been committed by the Dutch government. This
money has been allocated from the FES fund, which is for structural
investment in the Dutch economic structure.

The unravelling of the genome will enable potato growers and the processing
industry to make better use of the potato's genetic potential. Insight into
the potato genome creates numerous opportunities for developing new
varieties with, for example, higher disease resistance and improved
nutritional quality. Such improvements would have global implications, as
the potato is the world's fourth most important crop.

[www.potatogenome.net]

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