Discipline: Ecology Environmental and Earth Sciences
Subcategory: Plant Research
Summer Shanai Buckley - University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Co-Author(s): Dr. Venkatesan Sundaresan, University of California, Davis; Zach Liechty, University of California, Davis; Bao Nguyen, University of California, Davis
The microbiome studies of the rhizosphere, located on the root of rice plants, has provided genomic competency in research studies at the University of California, Davis. During a three week joint research opportunity with the University of California, Davis and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, extensive lab research and studies unveiled a new project similar to that of the human genome project; which is referred to as the Plant Genome Discovery Project. Hypothetically, this project enables research scientists to analyze microbes in rice plant soil for the benefit of productivity and crop yield; also to determine a plant’s exact genomic background and to be able to identify a plant’s properties. Pure DNA analysis of these microbes enables scientists to look further into the type of microbes the soil contains. Through using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gel electrophoresis along with other techniques, we are able to isolate the 16s gene for insertion into the plasmid of resistant E.coli, for further microbiome analysis and DNA sequencing. The determination of results varies, depending on the type of rice plant that is manipulated through different methods. Concluding, through the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) we discover the microbes available in the rhizosphere of rice plants. Analysis, tests, and techniques help to prove the overall outcome of the plant genomic research studies. Future research studies will examine how plants are affected through growth with different microbiomes living in the soil that helps rice plants flourish.
Not SubmittedFunder Acknowledgement(s): Collaborated Internship with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and the University of California, Davis Program Coordinators: Dr. Bihu Huang, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Dr. Venkatesan Sundaresan, University of California, Davis Paid for by the University of California, Davis, Department of Plant Sciences Lab Director: Bao Nguyen, University of California, Davis Lecture Director: Zach Liechty, University of California, Davis
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Anissa Buckner, bucknera@uapb.edu
Role: I conducted my own research with the help of the supervising lab directors.