Milling Journal

Manhattan, KS and Washington, DC—Claims that the wheat genome has been sequenced are premature, and moreover, additional manpower and money are needed to complete the project, agree members of the International Wheat Genome Sequence Consortium.

A recent Associated Press article entitled "Scientists: We've cracked wheat's genetic code," reports that a British team of scientists has "decoded the genetic sequence of wheat" and implies that this information is equivalent to the genome sequences available for the rice, maize, soybean, and the human genomes.

According to the IWGSC, an international consortium of wheat growers, public and private breeders and scientists, much work needs to be done.

Kellye Eversole, coordinator of the IWGSC, says, "The AP story and the claims within that story are in direct conflict with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council announcement released the same day and are a complete misrepresentation of the value of the work to breeders and scientists.

"Regrettably, the AP story and its headline that the wheat genome has been sequenced have been repeated in stories by all major media outlets around the world."

Sequencing the wheat genome, which is five times more complex than the human genome, is a massive undertaking and has taken many years, multiple scientists and enormous financial resources.

Scientists from more than 13 countries have collaborated on sequencing the wheat genome.

Altogether, the job of sequencing the wheat genome is about 5% complete, Eversole says.

Kansas' wheat farmers, through the Kansas Wheat Commission wheat assessment, have contributed more than $200,000 to the IWGSC effort since it began in 2005.

Kansas State University also has committed significant financial and human resources to the IWGSC effort.

The accomplishments of British scientists in providing preliminary raw data for the wheat genome are significant.

However, the data is incomplete and must be refined, says Justin Gilpin, chief executive officer of the KWC.

"It's like a complicated jigsaw puzzle with a lot of pieces missing."

"That progress continues on the wheat genome sequencing effort is noteworthy, however.

"The attention this story has received is indicative of the momentum in the wheat industry right now.

"The world is eager to see significant advancements in wheat breeding technology," Gilpin adds.

Eversole says the BBSRC, which funds the research in the United Kingdom, is correct when it says, "this is an important step but significant work remains to be done to achieve a complete genome sequence" and the "full sequenced genome requires further read-throughs, assembly of the data into chromosomes and significant work to fully annotate the sequence data."

When complete, the genome sequence of wheat will usher in a new era of wheat improvement and be one of the most significant scientific accomplishments of all time.

"However, this is far from being the case at present and this premature claim is jeopardizing the ongoing international efforts to truly achieve a genome sequence with high utility for wheat in the next five years," Eversole says.

"The IWGSC remains committed to continuing our collaborative, international effort and look forward to the day when we can indeed announce that the "wheat genetic code has been cracked."

For more information, call 785-539-0255.

See Related Websites/Articles:

• Kansas Wheat
• International Wheat Genome Sequence Consortium
• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

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