A future DNA bank for Mediterranean and tropical plants

Rationale

The shared Genotyping, Sequencing and Cloning Platform (IFR127) is a regional platform, which is located in different laboratories in Montpellier, Perpignan and Avignon.

The platform comprises four modules:

1. The module for construction and handling of DNA libraries (BAC, cDNA) concentrates specialized robotics equipment. It is associated with the National Center for Plant Genomics Resources (INRA Toulouse) for secure conservation and dissemination of DNA banks;
2. An analytical module for DArT (Diversity Array Technology) markers production at very high rates is being set up and will be operational in 2010. This will be the only facility of its kind in Europe;
3. The three 16-capillary ABI 3130xl sequencers can be used for DNA fragment analysis applications such as microsatellites, AFLP, SNP analysis, mutation detection and traditional DNA;
4. Six Li-Cor semi-automated sequencers are currently being used for genotyping (SSR, AFLP, etc.) analysis.

Activity on the Platform is expected to expand, notably within the ARCAD scientific project.

In this context, the present proposal aims at consolidating the facilities for handling plant DNA to be gathered in the future ARCAD building. It is meant to be an open, flexible, and efficient facility. Through close relations with the management of germplasm collections and Biological Resources Centres and subsequently within the future Platform for Plant Genetic and Genomic Resource Management, these DNA facilities will help organize a DNA Bank for Mediterranean and tropical crops.

Objectives

The current platform includes conventional equipment for DNA extraction and conservation. The main objective of this subproject is to build up significant capacity for DNA extraction, conservation and distribution in order to support all ARCAD activities dealing with DNA samples.

This project aims to:

• add the equipment required for high quality DNA sample collection, extraction, quality checking and archival storage;
• design appropriate procedures for the creation and setting up of a DNA bank for Mediterranean and tropical crops.

A methodological component will be developed in a related project funded by the iBiSA foundation (Infrastructures en Biologie Santé et Agronomie ). In order to fit with the recommendations of the IPGRI/Bioversity report on the international plant DNA banks, we will conduct a methodological study for the creation of a plant DNA bank associated with the Biological Resources Centers of Vitis  sp. and Medicago  sp. located in Montpellier.

Actions planned

WP 1 Facilities for plant DNA manipulation, Technical organization

Task 1 Treatment of plant samples
Task 2 Automated DNA extraction component
Task 3 Quality control of DNA samples
Task 4 Secure storage of DNA samples

WP 2 Facilities for DNA plant manipulation, management

Task 1 Installation of equipment.
Task 2 Management of facilities for handling plant DNA.

WP 3 Towards a DNA bank on Mediterranean and Tropical Plants

Task 1 Development of governance.
Task 2 Management and traceability of nucleic acid samples.
Task 3 Secure management of associated data.
Task 4 Quality management system.
Task 5 Communication.
Task 6 International exchanges.

Project team

Project leaders and responsible staff for work packages