Decoded Corn Genome Promises Higher Yields, Better Biofuels, New Plastics
Corn, Illinois: Randy Wick/FlickrWith its annual output of over 330 million tons a year feeding animals, running cars, and decorating South Dakota tourist attractions, maize is clearly Americas most important crop. That's why the newly published complete corn genome could drastically change the food, automotive and plastic industries. Already, scientists have identified genes that could boost yield, change the cell wall to make more biofuel, or raise the nutritional value of this vital cereal. The fully decoded corn genome culminates a four-year, $31 million collaboration between a number of different universities. The project published a working draft of the genome in early 2008, but, like with other genome projects, decoding some of the final, more complex, genes took a little longer. While some The primary paper relating to the project will appear in the journal Science, with ancillary papers appearing in the Public Library of Science and Plant Physiology....