Introduction
Molecular genetics plays an important role in many aspects of conservation such as the characterization of plant genetic diversity for purposes of improved acquisition, maintenance and use. In general, studies of phylogeny and species evaluation have been undertaken and have produced a considerable amount of valuable information. More recently, the molecular techniques have been applied to problems of direct relevance in order to understand distribution and extent of variation within and between species and accessions.
Global Plan of Action
- The Global Plan of Action provides a comprehensive scientific and technical framework for international and national action at the global level.
- It was adopted by 150 countries in 1996 through the Leipzig Declaration and was endorsed by the World Food Summit Plan of Action and the CBD (FAO, 1996b). The Global Plan of Action presents 20 Priority Activity Areas (PAA).
- The Global Plan of Action identifies a role for biotechnologies in
- PAA 11:“Promoting sustainable agriculture through diversification of crop production and broader diversity in crops”.
- One of its objectives is: “to promote the goal of higher levels of genetic diversity consistent with productivity increase and agronomic needs, including in crop production, plant breeding and biotechnological research and development settings”. Regardy capacity: “governments, and their national agricultural research systems, supported by the International Agricultural Research Centres, and other research and extension organizations should: make use of modern biotechnological techniques as feasible, to facilitate broadening of the genetic base of crops”.
- Biotechnologies have a role in realizing other priority activities of the Global Plan of Action, in particular, but not exclusively :
- PAA 5: “Sustaining existing ex situ collections”;
- PAA 8: “Expanding ex situ conservation activities”;
- PAA 9: “Expanding characterization, evaluation and number of core collections to facilitate use”;
- and PAA 10: “Increasing genetic enhancement and base-broadening efforts”.
Roles of molecular technology in studies of plant genetic resources:
- Genetic diversity studies
- Germplasm management
- Germplasm use
Genetic diversity studies
- Genetic relatedness and diversity
- Studying polymorphism in landraces and cultivars
- Identification of cultivars and taxonomy
- Phylogenetic studies
- Comparative mapping
Germplasm management
- Taxonomic characterization of germplasm
- Maintenance of collections
- Development conservation strategies
Germplasm use
- Gene mapping and identification
- Marker-assisted selection in plant breeding
- Detecting somaclonal variation
- Evaluating germplasm for useful genes
Objectives of MGL in NGBGR
- Detect polymorphism and phylogenetic relationships between accessions.
- Identify fingerprints of Egyptian germplasm.
- Monitor genetic stability in conserved materials.
- Determine specific molecular markers for agronomically desired characteristics.
Methodology
- Biochemical markers
- Allozymes
- Protein electrophoresis
- Molecular markers
- PCR-based techniques (RAPD, ISSR, SSR, AFLP.. etc.)
Staff
Dr. Shimaa Mostafa Kassem Hassan
01111830111
shimaa.mostafa@arc.sci.eg
Dr. Ibrahim Mohamed Ibrahim Haggag
01004330385
ibrahim_biotech@yahoo.com
