Poster: Genomic & proteomic resources

Abs # 888: Large scale transformation and trait screening in corn

Presenter:	Ruff, Thomas G., thomas.g.ruff@monsanto.com
Authors	Ruff, Thomas G. (A)   Anderson, John C (A)   Basra, Amarjit S (A)   Chomet, Paul  (A)   Edgerton, Michael  (A)   Hauge, Brian  (A)   Kessavalou, Anabayan  (A)   Lehfeldt, Ben R (A)   Laccetti, Lucille  (A)   Lund, Adrian A (A)   Mahadeo, Debbie A (A)   Mangano, MaryLou  (A)   Mann, Michael  (A)   Spelletich, Anne  (A)   Spencer, Michael  (A)   Start, William  (A)   Walters, David  (A)   Way, Melissa  (A)   Xu, Qingzhang  (A)   Zhang, Qiang  (A)   Miller, Philip W (A)   Adams, Thomas H (A)
Affiliations:	(A): Monsanto Company

All transgenic crop products currently on the market are based on the expression of plant or other genes in the crop plant. These products are based on genes that have been discovered over years of intensive study in model systems. This approach to product discovery requires a large investment in model systems and basic plant biology, an investment that is lost if the gene fails to perform in the crop plant. We have taken a fundamentally different approach to product discovery based on the production and screening of large numbers of transgenic corn plants. In this genetic style approach, genes are selected and used to produce a small number of independent transgenic corn plants. The plants are then screened through a battery of assays that are closely tied to the desired product description. Cost intensive optimization and mode of action studies are then focused on genes that have been demonstrated to perform effectively in the crop plant.