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Noble Foundation Announces the Initiation of the World's First Complete Legume Genome Sequencing Project

Researchers aim to develop the entire genetic blueprint of the species Medicago truncatula to create a myriad of global benefits for farmers, consumers, animals and the environment

ARDMORE, Okla. (Oct. 25, 2001) – The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. announces today the initiation of the world's first complete legume genome project. The goal of this extensive initiative will be to determine the entire genetic blueprint of the legume Medicago truncatula. The impact of this project on agriculture will be similar to the impact that the Human Genome Project will have on human health.

"It is appropriate that the Noble Foundation be the world leader of this truly significant scientific endeavor," said Noble Foundation President Michael A. Cawley. "The essence of our founder, Lloyd Noble, was to step forward and lead — to accomplish something that will benefit human kind. His philanthropic legacy, the Noble Foundation, is continuing that tradition with today's announcement."

To show its support for this vital undertaking, Cawley says the Noble Foundation Board of Trustees recently voted to invest an additional $5 million toward the project, which raises its current commitment to Medicago truncatula to more than $10 million. The total project will be over a five-year period and require $45 million in funding. "I believe this show of support by the trustees will inspire others who want to be involved in the funding of a research project that already enjoys the support of researchers around the world. The results of this project are destined to greatly enhance the global quality of life," adds Cawley.

The project involves two components: sequencing the Medicago genome and using the sequence information for gene discovery and plant improvement. Dr. Richard A. Dixon, Director of the Plant Biology Division at the Noble Foundation, will lead the Noble Foundation's team in partnership with the Advanced Center for Genome Technology (ACGT) at the University of Oklahoma headed by Dr. Bruce Roe, professor of chemistry and biochemistry. Roe and his team of 60 researchers are best known for playing a significant role in the worldwide Human Genome Project and will be responsible for the genome sequencing.

"This unique joint project between one of the nation's leading private research foundations and scientists at the University of Oklahoma is another example of the kinds of private-public partnerships which will be increasingly important in building our state's economy in the future," said University of Oklahoma President David Boren. "This joint effort of two highly talented teams provides a powerful engine for progress. The University of Oklahoma is honored to participate with the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation and its exceptional team of scientists."

According to Dixon, the Medicago truncatula species is widely believed to be the best model for scientists to develop legume varieties that 1) are more resistant to fungal, bacterial and viral diseases, and drought; 2) provide higher crop yields with less need for fertilizers and pesticides; and, 3) produce natural chemicals that promote human and animal health. The multi-investigator Noble Foundation team will apply the genome sequence information in projects targeting mineral nutrition, disease resistance, forage quality and nutraceutical production.

"The working out of the complete genome sequence of Medicago truncatula was recently identified as a high priority area of critical research by U.S. legume researchers and their commodity organizations," says Dr. Gregory May, coordinator of the Noble Foundation genomics program. "Medicago truncatula serves as the best model system for ultimately understanding the much more complex genomes of soybean, alfalfa, peanut, pea, chickpea and lentils."

The data compiled from the sequencing will have worldwide implications including the increased yield and sustainability of staple crops, such as beans and lentils, that are critical for feeding millions of people in developing countries. The impact to the agricultural and research economies in Oklahoma will include better-adapted and more nutritious varieties of alfalfa, peanuts and soybean, which account for $190 million annually toward the state's economy. In addition, the impact on the job market and science infrastructure within Oklahoma benefits from the state becoming the world leader in legume genomic research.

In a letter of support for the research, Gary Toenniessen, Director for Food Security at the Rockefeller Foundation in New York, notes that Africa and other regions in central Asia and the Indian sub-continent have both food shortages and lack of access to nitrogen fertilizers. For instance, farmers in Africa currently pay the highest fertilizer prices in the world. Because legumes restore atmospheric nitrogen and soil fertility, the species are a critical part of agriculture efforts in all parts of the world.

Many of the peoples of the developing world have essentially vegetarian diets, and legumes provide a good source of protein, minerals and other nutrients. "Crops such as lentil, beans, chickpea, etc. don't have big commodity groups funding basic research in biotechnology such as is seen with soybean," Toenniessen says. "Because legumes are used as staples in developing countries, information from this Medicago truncatula sequencing project will provide valuable information that can generate critical applications."

This project has also garnered support from another one of the world's leading scientists. "The Medicago truncatula work at the Noble Foundation is significantly contributing to the development of genetic engineering technology for the grain legumes," says Dr. Ingo Potrykus, who achieved global acclaim in 1999 for developing Golden Rice, a rice hybrid rich in beta-carotene, the nutrient that serves as a building block for vitamin A. "This group of crop plants is of outstanding importance for food security in developing countries."

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The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a non-profit organization conducting agricultural, forage biotechnological, and plant biology research; providing grants to numerous non-profit charitable, educational and health organizations; and assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs.

To learn more, visit the Noble Foundation Web site at http://www.noble.org.

More news releases available at www.noble.org/Press_Release