MU researchers to map soybean genome

It’s been done for humans. It’s been done for rice.

Soybean, prepare to have your genome mapped.

It will take at least two years to have a draft of the soybean genome sequence, which will contain DNA information of the whole genetic makeup of the plant, said Henry Nguyen, director of the National Center for Soybean Biotechnology, located at MU. The plant is estimated to have 40,000 to 50,000 genes, but Nguyen said understanding their functions should yield benefits for years to come. The U.S. Department of Energy will carry out the effort to map the genome.

Those benefits were touted at a news conference and ribbon-cutting held Monday to unveil the National Center for Soybean Biotechnology Genome Mapping Facility. The extension of the national center houses nearly $1 million in equipment that will be used to map the genome.

Researchers want to explore the genome so they can produce a higher-yield and stress-tolerant soybean that can defend itself from insect infestation and survive a drought, Nguyen said.

If researchers can understand which parts of the plant code for specific nutrients, researchers could manipulate those genes, increase their concentration in the plant and make the plants healthier for humans to eat, said Dale Ludwig, executive director of the Missouri Soybean Association. Soybeans might even be used in the fight against cancer, Ludwig said.

The equipment was paid for through a grant from the National Science Foundation, Nguyen said. It cost a little more than $100,000 to renovate the room where the equipment is housed.

The majority of soybean use today is in food for humans and feed for animals, Ludwig said. About 20 percent of soybean use goes toward biodiesel fuel for vehicles.

Stronger plants will mean more plants for those and other uses, he said.

Among those present at the ceremony were MU Chancellor Brady Deaton, UM System President Elson Floyd, Sen. Kit Bond, Sen. Jim Talent and Rep. Kenny Hulshof.