ZENECA WHEAT IMPROVEMENT CENTRE

Norwich, Colney, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK.

W. Schuch.

The Zeneca Wheat Improvement Centre (ZWIC), a newly established research lab, opened in September, 1999, and is now staffed by 10 scientists. The ZWIC is expected to grow to 15 by the end of 2000. The research programs fall into two areas.

1. Technology application. We are using expression array technology to study a broad range of biological problems. As a center of expertise for Zeneca, we are using the technology for chemical discovery as well as gene identification and characterization progress. This involves work on cereals such as wheat, rice, and maize as well as model systems. In addition, we are using mapping techniques for the analysis of cereal genomes.

2. Biological focuses. Our biological programs at present are focused on grain development. Using the full range of genomic approaches, we are studying grain development and grain filling in wheat and rice. A detailed analysis of the temporal and spatial expressions of large sets of genes is being undertaken via gene-expression arrays. This analysis will be combined with a study at cellular levels using a range of wheat cereal resources.