This award will support collaborative research between Dr. Carlos F. Quiros, University of California at Davis, and two French groups: Dr. Michael Delseny, Lab de Physiologie Vegetale, University of Perpignan, and Dr. Anne Marie Chevre, National Institute for Agronomic Research (INRA), Rennes. The objective of the project is to develop a series of cytogenetic stocks and molecular probes as chromosome markers, and to use them to study the evolution of the Brassica genomes. Specifically, the project involves mapping the chromosomes of the diploid species Brassica nigra and B. oleracea. This will be done by using a series of chromosome addition lines for these species already developed at Davis and at INRA, Rennes, and a series of molecular probes developed at Perpignan and Davis. The Perpignan group will develop additional informative DNA clones from B. nigra, and sequencing analysis, as well as provide expertise in other finer molecular genetics techniques. The creation of additional lines will be the responsibility of INRA, Rennes, and UCD. At Rennes most of the addition lines in tetraploid background will continue to be developed, while at Davis these lines will continue to be developed in diploid backgrounds. UCD will do most of the mapping activity on the basis of RFLP and isozyme markers and the intergenomic recombination study. This project brings together three of the world's top laboratories in Brassica research on a topic which is at the forefront of plant gene mapping research. The results of this project will serve as the basis for applied studies, such as the improvement of rapeseed and cole crops, development of resistant varieties to Phoma, improved oil quality and horticultural traits.
