GrainsWest Fall 2018

genome sequence into a final product you have to have the computational support to be able to tease out each of these sub-ge- nomes independently of one another. The sequencing technology and the compu- tational biology to analyze this complex genome has really exploded over the past several years. Given these advances, our own group is leading a new initiative called the 10+ Genomes Project. The aim of that work is to sequence multiple wheat cultivars to begin to understand what makes them different at the genetic level. GW : Tell us more about the 10+ Wheat Genomes Project, it sounds fascinating. CP: The project is designed to generate multiple genome sequences—sort of the blueprint of varieties of wheat from major breeding programs globally. We can compare them to understand how they are different and associate those differences with agronomic performance. It’s quite an exciting time in wheat genomics research. We now have the tools to be able to do this, and it was probably impossible even 10 years ago. Of course, that’s just the beginning. There’s a tremendous amount of work to do to understand how these genetic differences relate to function. That is, how specific genes associate with agronomic performance, disease resistance and end- use quality and nutrition. That’s the only way it becomes useful for breeders. GW : What are the issues that arise when new technology is implemented in breeding programs? CP: For example, with CRISPR, there is excitement in the research community about utilizing this technology and how it might be able to improve plant breeding. [For more on this gene-editing technology, see page 36.] But as breeders, we always have to be sensitive to regulatory frame- work around new technology, but also the demands and concerns of our customers. We do not want to implement technol- ogies that could potentially harm our international reputation for [producing] a high-quality product. That is obviously not science-based, but we need to be sensitive to this reality. We have to recognize that these technologies hold great promise, but the regulatory framework and customer acceptance will drive implementation of these tools to improve breeding efficiency. GW: Predictive breeding is another tactic you’ve been using. How does it work? CP: If you think about plant breeding, it’s really a numbers game. You make a cross between two parents and you have a bunch of progeny you have to sort through to find those that have the potential to be- come a variety. Anything that you can do to improve the efficiency of that process— to find that needle in the haystack—is worthwhile. Some of the research we are doing at the CDC relates to the application of genomics to predictive breeding, which is using genotypic information in the progeny, analyzing their DNA and from that information predicting what might happen in the field. Instead of testing it all in the field, the idea is to only put material into the field that the prediction suggests would be the best performers. It’s not perfect. Many of the important traits we target in breeding programs like yield or resistance to Fusarium head blight are very complex genetically. In addition, the environment the plant is growing in Fall 2018 Grains West 18 Pozniak’s research team is part of the 10+Genomes project, generating wheat genome sequences across the globe. PERSON PLACE & THING