1. How can we use science and technology to solve world food crisis. M
How can we use science and technology to solve world food crisis? M. Menz

2. Food supply challenges
Greater demand
Resource scarcity (land, water, fuel based N, P, etc.)
Climate change
Less water
Higher pressure for pest and disease

3. Exploit genetic variation to create better varieties
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4. Most of the differences among individuals are heritable, i. e
Most of the differences among individuals are heritable, i.e., are genetics
DNA Chromosomes
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5. Different codons produce different aa and so different proteinsGC
3 changes like these in just one gene allow H. sapiens to talk!
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6. Genetic Principles DNA ==> RNA ==> Protein ==> Phenotype DNA
Different forms of one gene are alleles. Different alleles ==> Diff. phenotype
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7. Gene to Phenotype
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8. Linear representation of markers along a chromosome
Genetic Map
Linear representation of markers along a chromosome
Cytogenetic location of Sorghum
BACs on Sorghum Chromosome 1
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9. Molecular markers can be used to determine the genotype
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10. We can select based on genetic information
Resistant
Susceptible
Marker analysis at seedling stage
Selection of individual plants with the desirable trait

11. …or construct new types of plants
1-“Mendelization”
Parent Parent 1
2- Assembly
Ideotype
Two Steps
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12. Biotrove: OpenArray™ System
33 nanoliter reaction
3,072 through-holes /array
User Loads OpenArrays™
BioTrove Software
Data Capture & analysis
Export to Database
Biotrove’s solution is based around the OpenArray™. In the area of a microscope slide, Biotrove has figured out how to capture nl “reactions” in bottom-less “wells” or holes. Utilizing hydrophilic or water loving coatings on the inside of these holes and hydrophobic or water averse coatings on the exterior, we are able to quickly and efficiently fill thousands of reactions without expensive robotics and minimal technician involvement.
To put it into perspective, let’s look at how reactions have evolved since the discovery of PCR, the reaction which forever changed molecular biology.
OpenArray™ NT-Cycler
Automated – 3 hours

13. Affymetrix GeneChip for RNA and DNA Profiling5
Feature: Probes with Same Sequence
Hybridized DNA
Non-hybridized DNA
Probe Sets: Group of Probes
for Same Gene 6 7
Target: Labeled sample
Image courtesy of Affymetrix, with modification 1
GeneChip: Chip and Fluidic Chamber 3
Probe Cell: Millions of Probes 2 4
Chip: >1 Million Probe Cell
Probe: 25mer DNA Oligo
Broad coverage – Survey up to 32.5 million bases - 50K gene sequences in one assay
Markers on genes – Functional markers that could be responsible for complex traits
Fast and cost-effective – From DNA to data in a few days