Advancing Science with DNA Sequence

Gerald A. TuskanJoint Genome Institute/Oak Ridge National LaboratoryU.S. DOE-EU Workshop on Bioenergy

JGI Plant Portfolio JGI Plant Portfolio -- --Developing Future Bioenergy CropsDeveloping Future Bioenergy Crops

Advancing Science with DNA Sequence

U.S. Energy Consumption by U.S. Energy Consumption by Source and SectorSource and Sector

Source: http://www.eia.doe.gov/

Advancing Science with DNA Sequence

Renewable Energy in the U.S.Renewable Energy in the U.S.

Source: http://www.eia.doe.gov/

Advancing Science with DNA Sequence

Biofuels Crop DevelopmentBiofuels Crop Development

Plant biomass is a renewable source of feedstock for alternate fuel production. Adoption of a biomass-based energy economy depends on the availability of robust, high-yield bioenergy crops.

SwitchgrassSwitchgrassHybrid PoplarHybrid PoplarTropical GrassesTropical GrassesSweetgumSweetgumSorghumSorghumBlack LocustBlack LocustEucalyptusEucalyptus

Hybrid PoplarHybrid PoplarEucalyptusEucalyptus

Hybrid PoplarHybrid Poplar SwitchgrassSwitchgrassReed CanarygrassReed Canarygrass

SoybeansSoybeansCornCornSwitchgrassSwitchgrassHybrid PoplarHybrid PoplarSilver MapleSilver MapleReed CanarygrassReed CanarygrassSorghumSorghum

Hybrid PoplarHybrid PoplarWillowsWillowsBlack LocustBlack Locust

Dedicated Energy CropsDedicated Energy Crops

Advancing Science with DNA Sequence

Corn DomesticationCorn Domestication

• Teosinte

Timeline:

5000 ybp

• Corn Landraces

2000 ybp

• Modern Hybrids

Today

Advancing Science with DNA Sequence

Timeline:

30 M - 200 ybp 120 ybp

Wild Stands

Today

PopulusPopulus DomesticationDomestication

Clonal Selection

Improved HybridsDomesticated Trees

The Future?

Advancing Science with DNA Sequence

• Reduced recalcitrance of cellulose degradation

• Reduced height growth• Compact crown• Higher productivity per

unit area• Greater number of stems

per unit area• Compact root system• Drought/Stress tolerance• Enhanced radial growth• Nutrient use efficiency• Greater product yield• Reduced flowering

Fully Domesticated Poplar

DOE Bioenergy Sciences CenterDOE Feedstocks for Bioenergy projectDOE Carbon Sequestration ProjectORNL Drought Tolerance Project

Advancing Science with DNA Sequence

Brachypodium

Dedicated Energy Crops Dedicated Energy Crops ––The MonocotsThe Monocots

Setaria italica

Maize

Potential Energy Crop

Model GenomeSwitchgrassMiscanthus

Informative GenomeMonocots

Sorghum

Oryza

Musa

Potential Energy Crop

Model GenomeSwitchgrassMiscanthus

Informative GenomeMonocots

Model GenomeWheat

Informative GenomeMonocots

Advancing Science with DNA Sequence

Dedicated Energy Crops Dedicated Energy Crops ––The DicotsThe Dicots

Glycine

Eucalyptus

Populus

Populus

Arabidopsis

Potential Energy Crop

Model GenomeOil production

Informative GenomeLegumesPrunus

Glycine

Potential Energy Crop

Model GenomeWoody Perennial

Informative GenomeEurosid I

Model GenomeEurosid II

Informative GenomePopulus

Prunus

Eucalyptus

IAA16.3IAA16.3

ControlControl 90-day-old Populus cuttings

stem cross sectional area (cm2)

transgenic

control

7.14.4

RNAi-mediated down-regulation of PoptrIAA16.3 results in radial growth in

Populus.

Advancing Science with DNA Sequence

2008 Sequence Releases

▬ Deep EST sequencing of Eucalyptus, Salix and Miscanthus

▬ Deep short-read sequencing of Miscanthus x giganteus

▬ High-quality draft sequence of Eucalyptus grandis

▬ EST Pilot for pineManihot esculenta

Gossypium

Cellulose Biosynthesis

Starch Biosynthesis

A Look to the Near FutureA Look to the Near Future

Advancing Science with DNA Sequence

AcknowledgmentsAcknowledgments

Unsung heroes of Production Genome Facility at JGI

DOE, NSF, USDA for funding, partnership, vision, and oversight

Domesticated Populus