FORESTs: Eucalyptus Genome Sequencing Project Consortium

• Grant number: 01/10251-3
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Partnership for Technological Innovation - PITE
• Start date: November 01, 2001
• End date: October 31, 2004
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Forestry Resources and Forestry Engineering - Forestry
• Principal Investigator: Helaine Carrer
• Grantee: Helaine Carrer
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: Piracicaba
• Company: Consórcio de Empresas Florestais de Papel e Celulose

Abstract

The Eucalyptus Genome project aimed to identify 15 thousand genes by means of the sequencing of approximately 100 thousand ESTs (Expressed Sequence Tags), prepared from libraries of different tissues, including plantules, leaves, roots, stems and wood. The EST sequences were recorded automatically and clustered for the identification of the genes. By means of the use of bioinformatics, the project carried out an analysis of those sequences, observing redundancy during the sequencing; the (Blast) comparison of the sequences with those deposited in international data bases and in the FAPESP-Genome program; and the clustering of the sequences obtained from special programs for data analysis, such as CAP3 and others. In addition, it was endeavored to use the information obtained to carry out an analysis of the genic expression using the microarrays. In this way, it was sought to develop a new technology for the identification of genes involved in the genetic control of the quality of the wood and in the resistance to disease and pests, environmental stresses and tolerance to nutritional deficiencies. The intention was for this information to be made available rapidly to companies for the modification of the properties of the wood in industrial use or in other applications. (AU)