Researchers at Michigan Technological University have identified a set of
genes that could be key to the development of the next generation of super
rice. Biologist Ramakrishna Wusirika and PhD student Rafi Shaik uncovered
more than 1,000 genes in rice that appear to play key roles in managing its
response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Wusirika and Shaik discovered that
1,377 from the approximately 3,800 genes involved in rice's stress response
played a role in both types of stress.

The scientists looked at the genes' response to five abiotic stresses
(drought, heavy metal contamination, salt, cold and nutrient deprivation)
and five biotic stresses (bacteria, fungus, insect predation, weed
competition and nematodes). A total of 196 genes showed a wide range of
expressions to these stresses. Wusirika said "The top genes are likely
candidates for developing a rice variety with broad stress-range tolerance."
She added that they would like to test their findings to see if five or 10
of the genes work as predicted.

[www.mtu.edu]