This project has primary goals of identifying the biological mechanisms governing low temperature (LT) adaptation and then applying the acquired knowledge and our genomic resources in crop improvement programs. The research has been organized around nine themes. 1) Characterization of genetic stocks produced, collected, and designed for use in the investigation of crop adaptation to cold environments. 2) Fine mapping and map based cloning using our BAC library to delineate genetic loci contributing to crop adaptation to LT. 3) Transcriptome profiling and expression analysis of genes critical to crop adaptation. 4) Proteome analysis in relation to crop adaptation. 5) Functional analysis of candidate genes/genetic loci critical to crop adaptation. 6) Comparative genetic analyses of wheat and barley crop adaptation genes. 7) Development of wheat genotypes adapted to growth and survival at LT. 8) Utilization of genomic tools in a systems approach to integrate genomics information into our LT response simulation model. 9) Ethical, Environmental, Economic, Legal and Social Issues stemming from the research.

We have demonstrated that detailed functional genomic or phenomic analyses will be required to isolate the critical genetic components of the complex, highly integrated, environmentally regulated genetic system that determines crop adaptation. Consequently, assigning function to genes is important in order to make use of the available genomic tools to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of plant adaptation. Our previous research efforts have focused on building and strengthening the functional genomics toolbox required to dissect the genetic mechanisms governing the induction and regulation of LT tolerance at the whole plant and molecular level. We have at our initial disposal a draft genetic map and BAC library for the winter hardy wheat cultivar, Norstar. The availability of our specifically designed genetic stocks, unique cytogenetic stocks, and genetic mapping populations in the Triticeae (includes wheat, barley, rye, triticale and wheat relatives) that have been thoroughly characterized for LT-response by our program allow for original and innovative approaches to genomic studies of crop adaptation. The ability to manipulate these differences in genetic and environmental response provides us with a unique opportunity to undertake the genomic studies outlined above to distinguish those genes critical to the LT tolerance and plant growth and development mechanisms from those responsible for simple metabolic adjustments.

In the last decade, there has been a virtual flood of genetics and genomics information that has arisen from investigations using model plant systems and tools with an unprecedented level of sophistication for the analysis of the transcriptome, proteome and metabolome. Our program has the knowledge, expertise, tools, infrastructure, biological resources and collaborators that are required to turn the opportunities offered by these developments into reality for the enhancement of a wide range of crop species. Consequently, the primary effort of our research focuses on applying the available biological knowledge and genomic tools to bridge the gap that exists between basic scientific developments and the utilization of these resources in crop improvement programs that focus on improving complex traits like LT tolerance and regional adaptation.