Syngenta Analyzes the Rice Genome

April 5, 2002

Syngenta scientists from the company's Torrey Mesa Research Institute (TMRI) have published their first major analysis of the rice genome. The draft sequence analysis -- published in today's edition of "Science" -- provides a foundation for unlocking the secrets that can improve global crop production.

The Syngenta rice genome sequence analysis identified approximately 45,000 genes imbedded in the 420 million base pairs of nucleotides present within rice's 12 chromosomes. This analysis covers more than 99% of the rice genome at an accuracy level of 99.8%.

One of the key findings of the Syngenta rice genome sequence analysis is the similarity between the rice genome and the genomes of other major cereal crops - including corn, wheat and barley. Syngenta found that approximately 98% of the known corn, wheat, and barley genes are present in rice. Using this similarity has allowed Syngenta to map more than 2000 cereal traits on the rice genome.

Syngenta used a low-depth, random fragment sequencing strategy, commonly known as "shotgun sequencing," to ensure the broadest possible coverage of the genome at the lowest possible cost. The high level of coverage and high accuracy demonstrated using this method support the continued use of shotgun sequencing for other cereal crop genomes. The use of advanced genomic tools, coupled with thorough analysis of other cereal crop genome sequences, will help Syngenta speed the development of agricultural crop improvements.

The Syngenta draft sequence is available to the public through the Torrey Mesa Research Institute's web site. Academic researchers can access segments of the data on-line, via www.TMRI.org, or, with the consent of their research institution, request a CD-ROM containing the entire Syngenta draft sequence. Syngenta will work with public research institutions to produce a finished version of the rice genome that is 99.99% accurate. The finished version will be deposited in GenBank.