GENETIC RESOURCES...

Genetic and genomic resources

Development of genetic resources

Representative collections of natural genetic variation coupled with collections of induced mutants of pea and Medicago truncatula constitute an important and strategic foundation for our analyses of gene function and for varietal innovation. The Medicago truncatula genetic resource collection (CRB Medicago) contains collections of ecotypes, inbred lines and RIL populations (managed at INRA-Montpellier by J-M. Prosperi) and collections of EMS and transposon-induced mutants produced and maintained in Dijon.
The grain legume network of the INRA Genetics and Plant Breeding department has intrusted Dijon with the management of the Grain Legume CRB, which includes the INRA collections of Pea, Faba bean and white lupins. This structure will function under the aegis of the national BRG ( bureau of genetic resources) with private plant breeders and GEVES (National seed and variety testing association) as partners.

You can access to the UMR LEG public genetic resources from

1 TILLING Medicago truncatula and pea

Reponsible : C. Le Signor, M. Nicolas, R. Thompson
Collaboration : INRA-URGV Evry, INRA Montpellier, JIC Norwich

URLEG began to produce a publicly available TILLING resource for M. truncatula in 2006. The programme is supported by the Burgundy region and by the European Community via the FP6 integrated project “Grain Legumes”. In 2002, a first mutagenesis treatment yielded 500 M1 plants, from which 4500 M2 plants were harvested. This first population is structured into families of around 10 M2 from each M1. The second population was produced by single seed descent from 4000 M1 plants to minimize redundancy within the plants.
The Grain Legumes integrated project has also provided funding for development of a Pea TILLING population, which is projected to be complete (4000 M2) by 2006. The Pea TILLING resource forms part of a collaboration with INRA-URGV at EVRY, who will be responsible for molecular screening.

The TILLING technique was set up in the lab. on the first M. truncatula population. Detection of point mutations is by digestion with Cel1, and fragment analysis by electrophoresis on Li-Cor IR Laser systems (financed by the Burgundy region in 2004). A database is being established in which are stored passport phenotype data for each M2 line and each mutant that is characterised.
Link to Utilldb :URGV TILLING Platform with collections of mutants for Pea.

Recent Publications

Dalmais, M., Schmidt, J., Le Signor, C., Moussy, F., Burstin, J., Savois, V., Aubert, G., Brunaud, V., de Oliveira, Y., Guichard, C., Thompson, R. and Bendahmane, A.: UTILLdb, a Pisum sativum in silico forward and reverse genetics tool. Genome Biology 9 (2008) R43.

3 Pea genetic resources

Responsible : G. Duc, P. Marget, J. Burstin,
Collaborations : GEVES, GSP, JIC (UK), VIR (Russia), CAAS (China), Groupe protéagineux DGAP, ECP/GR

The pea natural genetic resource collection is composed of around 3300 accessions, to which will be added 1600 RIL (recombinant inbred line) lines, 300 mutant lines, and 1500 lines at the end of selection. The Pea TILLING population will constitute a further 4000 M2 offspring.

4 Faba bean genetic resources

Responsible : P. Marget, G. Duc
Collaborations : INRA Rennes, U. Cordoba (ESP), GEVES, GIE féverole, VIR (Russia),CAAS (China), ECP/GR

The INRA natural genetic resource collection is composed of 1200 accessions, mainly spring types, based at Dijon, and 950 accessions obtaines from INRA Rennes which are mainly winter types. To these will be added pools (35 populations) and 2000 lines arising from selection.