The Research Improvement in Minority Institutions (RIMI) program was designed to increase the participation of minorities in scientific and engineering research by providing support to strengthen the research environment and capabilities of predominantly minority institutions. Institutions eligible to participate in this program must have in addition to a substantial enrollment of minority students, graduate programs in science or programs in engineering. Alabama A&M University will use RIMI funds to strengthen research and training in plant cell and tissue culture biotechnology. The research studies will develop a tissue culture program in woody plants, expand a plant cell and tissue culture program in Triticiae (wheat, rye and barley), and establish a molecular genetics program in Triticiae. Tissue culture studies in woody plants will focus on the cultivation of the holly and the analysis of variation in embryo-derived plants. The plant cell and tissue culture program will explore the regeneration of cereal plants from single cells. Initial studies will involve the development of procedures for isolating single cells and screening of genotypes for regeneration potential. In addition, recombinant DNA techniques will be employed to explore interspecies genetic variability in wheat and rye. These studies will be used as a basis for constructing genetic maps. This project will provide support for graduate students, undergraduate students and post-doctoral trainees. The principal investigator is a well-trained and experienced scientist in plant and soil science who publishes regularly in refereed journals. Because of this RIMI project, minority faculty and students will have increased opportunities to participate in meritorious research in plant and soil science at Alabama A&M University.
