Source: Bikram Gill, 785-532-1391, bsg@k-state.edu
http://www.k-state.edu/media/mediaguide/bios/gillbio.html
Photos available: http://www.k-state.edu/media/images/sept11/BikramGill1011.jpg
News release prepared by: Tyler Sharp, 785-532-2535, tmsharp@k-state.edu
Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011
A Mecca for 1xbet online games login genetics: K-State center mapping 1xbet online games login genome
MANHATTAN -- As a top producer of 1xbet online games login in the United States, Kansas is a leader in many areas of the 1xbet online games login industry, particularly in innovation and research.
That's where Kansas State University's 1xbet online games login Genetic and Genomic Resources Center fits in. In fact, the highly integrated research center in Throckmorton Hall is a world leader in 1xbet online games login genetic research and development.
The 1xbet online games login was created in 1979; the Kansas Board of Regents designated it as a 1xbet online games login of excellence in 1984.
"This center was created to discover fundamental knowledge about 1xbet online games login genetics and also develop genetic resources which can be used to make new 1xbet online games login varieties," said Bikram Gill, university distinguished professor of plant pathology and the center's founder and project leader.
"Because of this long-term mission, this center was created so that scientists with diverse expertise and affiliation could work in one place on different aspects of 1xbet online games login genetics research."
Collaboration is paramount for one of the center's most important tasks: mapping the 1xbet online games login genome. 1xbet online games login has one of the largest genomes among crop plants and genome-sequencing methods can't be used. To simplify the process, special genetic stocks provided by the 1xbet online games login Genetic and Genomic Resources Center were used to "divide and conquer" the 1xbet online games login genome into 21 chromosomes, which were assigned to many institutes around the world. Currently, the center has responsibility for four of the 21 1xbet online games login chromosomes.
"We are the largest contributor to this effort in the world," said Sunish Sehgal, research associate in plant pathology. Gill is helping to lead these efforts as co-chair of the International 1xbet online games login Genome Sequencing Consortium.
The core mission of Kansas State University's center is to maintain an extensive seed and genome bank, which currently has around 14,000 wild 1xbet online games login species strains and around 100,000 genetic stocks. The collection is special because it is a one-stop shop for wild species, genetic stocks and genomic resources.
"Pretty much anyone who is doing 1xbet online games login genetic research is getting their genetic stocks from us," Gill said.
While Throckmorton Hall boasts countless laboratories to conduct research, the 1xbet online games login has several other sites. Research is primarily conducted in the greenhouses adjacent to Throckmorton Hall. The 1xbet online games login also has a field nursery outside of Manhattan in the Rocky Ford area near Tuttle Creek Reservoir.
Because every country can maintain individual ownership of 1xbet online games login germplasm -- the collection of genetic resources -- it can create issues in advancing scientific research. The center's genetic materials and improved germplasm are made freely available for promoting 1xbet online games login genetics and improved 1xbet online games login research. Gill has traveled extensively to promote the benefits of germplasm research.
"The strength of the center is that we have the germplasm," Gill said. "At the same time, many Kansas State University and United States Department of Agriculture scientists are working on different aspects of 1xbet online games login research."
The spirit of international exchange also extends to personnel. Since the 1xbet online games login 's inception, it has welcomed scientists, professors, students and others from many different countries. After these people have returned to their home countries, a variety of collaborations with the 1xbet online games login have resulted.
Current research has a diverse scope. But one project is easy to relate to stomachs worldwide. The 1xbet online games login is working on the development of functional food.
"People as consumers are more interested in not only getting calories from food but getting health benefits as well," Gill said.
The 1xbet online games login 's many efforts and projects have led to its top-notch reputation.
"Our center has been described as a mecca for 1xbet online games login genetics," Gill said. "We have excellent facilities, some of the best in the country. Many scientists want to come and work here."
