1. Arabidopsis thaliana Katie Dalpozzo

2. Model Organism Small (20 cm),unremarkable spindly weed, with tiny, white, four-petalled flowers Six week lifespan No immediate agricultural importance and is not thought to cure any disease Prolific seed production and easy cultivation in restricted space A large number of mutant lines and genomic resources

3. Genome 5 chromosomes, 25, 498 genes, and 140 million bases –Smallest genome of any plant First complete genome sequence of a plant Useful plant-specific gene functions for crop enhancement –Grow crops in salty or metallic soils or in very cold or hot climates

4. Sequence Sequenced by Arabidopsis Genome Initiative (AGI) Started in 1996, planned to finish by 2004, but actually finished in 2000 Current and future research done by The Arabidopsis Information Resource (TAIR) 8,811 articles on Arabidopsis