1. 1 Do the “tolerance” Genes exist? Yes because Extremophiles are tolerant to extreme Environments in Nature Can we find the GENES?

2. 2 What “Tolerance” Genes Do

3. 3 GENOMICS SCALE APPROACH IS NEEDED TO IDENTIFY KEY FUNCTIONAL GENES The KAUST Center

4. 4 Salt Tolerant Plant Genomics Center OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES Multi- Disciplinary Approach: Genome sequencing Functional genomics Xerophytes & halophytes Model plant studies Identification of salt and drought tolerance pathways & genes Crop design features special phenotypes Applications: Improved crop yields Develop new crops Extend cropland To marginal soils Improved food security protection of the environment GOAL Zero distance marker breeding non GMO Cooperation with agronomists, hydrologists Irrigation specialists, economists, etc. Bioinformatics networks Xenotransform/screening Model germplasm Crop germplasm Innovative approaches and solutions Research Products: 1) Organism germplasm banks; 2) Genetic databases/DNA SEQ/proteonomics/transcriptomes; Genomes Sequences (BAC BIBAC) Transcriptome (cDNA cassette) Proteomic domain structure 3) Mechanisms of salt and drought tolerance/Genetic elements for separate mechanisms physiological/biochemistry 4) Gene integration/stacking 5) End product/Field performance Enhance CO 2 sinks genomes reverse genetics forward genetics Red Sea Science and Engineering Center Computational Biosciences Center GENES Global Links