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Sequence the DNA of 30,000 to 45,000 F. verticillioides Expressed Sequence Tags (EST's) and perform data analysis and annotation to identify 7,000 to 9,000 unique genes. Unique sequences will be used in preparation of
microarrays to be used in generating data necessary for understanding the role of the fungus F. verticillioides in production of fumonisins and contamination into crops.
Fusarium verticillioides genomics, either involving whole genome sequencing or Expressed Sequence Tag (EST) methods, can help to identify the whole set or majority of the genes respectively in the fungal genome. In order to meet ARS objectives aimed at developing methods to prevent fumonisin contamination of crops, by identifying factors in the crops that are antifungal growth or inhibit fumonisin formation or by gaining a better understanding of fungal biology, establishment of F. verticillioides genomics and EST databases will provide us more specific information on which critical regulatory components and genes involved in fumonisin biosynthesis and/or fungal growth should be targeted. Construction of an EST library is now feasible with available funds to meet the program objectives. The annotated EST information will be made available for ARS researchers and cooperators as it becomes available and eventually made available to the public through deposition into GenBank.