A group of Chinese scientists have completed 10 percent of the
genome sequence of japonica, one of the most widely cultivated
subspecies of rice in China and other Asian regions.
Their research, which was published as the cover story in
yesterday's Nature magazine, a leading international scientific
journal, has been hailed as a milestone for agriculture
research.
"It not only gives China a position on the world's scientific
leading edge, but also pushes ahead the process of the
International Rice Genome Sequencing Project," said Chen Zhu, vice
president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
China is one of the 11 nations and regions, including Japan, the
United States and France, working on the sequencing project, which
is known as IRGSP that began in 1998.
Researchers hope the sequencing of the 12 chromosomes in japonica
will help them produce better strains of rice in the future,
leading to larger crop yields. But they still can't say when their
research will turn into practical gains for farmers and
consumers.
The Chinese study, which was conducted by more than 70 scientists
under the leadership of the Shanghai-based national Center for Gene
Research, proves the existence of 4,658 individual genes in the No.
4 chromosome of japonica.
"It's the first time we have been capable of sequencing a full
chromosome," said project leader Han Bin.
Cracking the genetic code behind rice, a staple for more than half
of the world's population, "will speed improvements in nutritional
quality, crop yield and sustainable agriculture to meet the
country's growing needs," commented Li Xueyong, a vice minister
from the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The project is considered significant due to the vast number of
farmers among China's population.
Previously, a group of Chinese scientists led by Yang Huanming at
the Beijing Genomics Institute completed the first draft of the
genome sequence of indica, another key subspecies of rice.
(eastday.com November 22, 2002)