The Brachypodium reference genome was sequenced, assembled and annotated by the DOE JGI. This project builds upon the reference genome by generating gene regulatory networks in Brachypodium in order to identify genes capable of conferring enhanced traits in bioenergy crop plants. In particular, the project will focus on generating fundamental systems-level information on drought tolerance and water use efficiency in grasses. The overall goal is to achieve deep knowledge of gene regulatory networks related to stress responses in the grasses, knowledge that can be used toward developing, for example, drought tolerant bioenergy grasses needed by the United States’ biofuel industry for economical production of advanced biofuels. This information is relevant to the study of other grass species such as switchgrass and Miscanthus that are central to the Department of Energy’s mission to develop biofuels.
Proposer’s Name: Todd C. Mockler