Summary of the proposed project:
The aim of this proposal is to establish a multi-institutional, international consortium of labs that will develop metabolomics as a new functional genomics tool for elucidating the functions of Arabidopsis genes whose functions are currently unknown. The consortium has developed metabolomic platforms that detect approximately 2,000 metabolites, of which 900 are chemically defined. The consortium will apply these established platforms to reveal changes in the metabolome associated with knockout mutations in genes of unknown function and compare these to similar mutants in genes of known functions. In addition, the consortium will provide an initial genetic and morphological characterization of these mutants. Furthermore, the consortium will begin analytical efforts to expand the chemical identity of the Arabidopsis metabolome. Finally, the consortium will develop unique databases for the dissemination of these data. The successful completion of these goals will generate new tools and resources for ultimately determining the function of the many Arabidopsis genes, whose functions are still to be defined.

Broader Impacts of the proposed research project:
The proposed consortium will develop new resources for the research community, which is required for determining the function of genes whose functions are currently unknown. These resources will be developed in collaboration with other NSFfunded resource development projects, and will enable researchers in the community to formulate credible hypothesis-driven projects that will ultimately define the functions of these genes. The consortium will foster the coordinate international development of metabolomics as a tool in functional genomics by collaborating with key European efforts, by organizing metabolomics workshops at international meetings, and in the 3rd year of the project offering a-for-fee metabolomics service to the research community. The consortium will also develop new activities that will enhance the impact of science education and training in the community. Specifically, workshops for high school science teachers will be offered during the three summers of the project. In addition, research internships will be offered to undergraduate students, and 8 of these students will be provided with an international experience to observe science in European genomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics laboratories. These research-based training internships will illustrate the synergy accompanied by the integrated application of chemistry, biochemistry, genetics and bioinformatics to solving biological problems in post-genomic sciences.