Published in Probe Volume 6 (Final): July 1996
The National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DOE), and USDA have solicited proposals from a broad community of scientists to initiate systematic sequencing of the genome Arabidopsis thaliana. The ultimate goal of the joint program is to sequence the entire Arabidopsis genome by the year 2004 or before.
The program anticipates supporting up to three 3-year awards, through cooperative agreements or grants. The exact amount will depend on the advice of reviewers and on the availability of funds, with the cost shared by the participating Federal agencies. Applications were due by January 16, 1996.
The Multinational Coordinated Arabidopsis thaliana Genome Research Project was established in 1990 to develop Arabidopsis thaliana as an experimental model system for studies of flowering plants. Since that time, rapid scientific advances in Arabidopsis research, coupled with progress in large-scale genome sequencing of several genomes from other model organisms, has led researchers to estimate that sequencing of the entire genome could take place by 2004, based on the current genome sequencing technology and the available resources (North American Arabidopsis Steering Committee Workshop Report, NSF95-43, pp. 35-39). The time frame is expected to be reduced substantially as the relevant technologies are further developed.
To maximize efficient use of available resources and minimize duplication of effort, the joint NSF/DOE/USDA project will be coordinated with other ongoing genome projects, including the National Institutes of Healths Human Genome Research Project and the USDA Plant Genome Research Program, as well as with other national and transnational programs around the world.
A complete text of the program announcement may be obtained by calling or writing PGDIC or on the World Wide Web, at: http://www.nal.usda.gov/answers/info_centers/pgdic/pgdic.html.*
* Our new URL is http://www.nal.usda.gov/pgdic/