Recent studies revealed that about 240 species in the tribe Brassiceae are derived through diploidization process from an ancient hexaploid after divergence with Arabidopsis. Most triplicates in Brassica genome show sequence-level co-linearity with a counterpart Arabidopsis sequence. We have obtained 91,511 BAC end sequences (BES) and high-resolution fingerprints (SNapShot) from 99,456 BAC clones originated three BAC libraries (HindIII, BamHI, and Sau3AI). All BESs were used for comparative genome analysis with the Arabidopsis. A total of 47,748 (52%) BESs show significant hit (E-6) with at least one spot of Arabidopsis chromosomes. And a total of 4,647 BAC clones (10%) are mapped on the counterpart Arabidopsis chromosomes by directional matches of both ends (9,294 BES) within 30-500 kb interval on Arabidopsis chromosome. These 4,647 clones span 92 Mb of Arabidopsis genome. We have selected a total of 629 BACs that span 86 Mb Arabidopsis genome with minimally comparative overlap (comparative-tile). Up to now, about 600 BACs are sequenced and most show co-linearity with the counterparts. Sequence-based genetic mapping of each BAC and their FPC information will be used as step-stone for walking and construction physical map of all chromosomes. Up to now, 513 BACs are sequence-based anchored on ten B. rapa genetic linkage groups that provide successful information as seed BACs for further extending to close clone gaps between the adjacent seed BACs and thus to complete sequencing of the individual chromosome. We are sequencing cytological chromosome 1 (R9) and 2 (R3), until now we finished about 50% of each chromosome. We also analyzed 130,000 ESTs from 29 cDNA libraries made with various tissues at various developing stage and treatments. The hybridization results of 24K microarray will be presented. All information will be provided to Multinational Brassica Genome Project (MBGP) members, soon, using web-based tool from our Arabidopsis-Brassica Genome Browser (www.brassica-rapa.org).

Tocopherol belongs to the Vitamin E class of lipid soluble antioxidants that are essential for human nutrition. Tocopherols consist of a chromanol ring and a 15-carbon tail derived from homogentisate (HGA) and phytyl diphosphate, respectively. Condensation of HGA and phytyl diphosphate, the committed step in tocopherol biosynthesis, is catalyzed by HGA phytyltransferase (HPT). To increase tocopherol level in cucumber fruit, we performed Agrobacterium-mediated transformation with mdhpt gene, encoding HPT, isolated from apple (Malus domestica). We obtained two independent T0 cucumber plants from transforming 2,142 explants. Southern blot analysis of T0 showed that mdhpt was inserted in the genome. In order to test the tocopherol level, T1 cucumber fruits were screened by GC analysis. From 39 T1 fruits tested, some fruits showed 1.5-2 fold in α- and β-tocopherol content comparing to control. However, most of fruits contained lower levels of γ- and δ- tocopherol indicating a partition of metabolites in tocopherol biosynthesis pathway. We selected these T1 line and made a self-cross to obtain T2 seeds.

Ornithine deacetylase (argE) gene as a negative selection marker gene was successfully co-transformed with SOD-APX or NDPK2 as a target gene to develop marker free transgenic rice. E.coli argE gene encodes an enzyme which activates N-acetyl phosphinothricin (N-AcPt) through deacetylation. The enzyme was reported that deacetylate N-AcPt, a non cyto-toxic compounds, to produce cyto-toxic PPT. So the argE gene can be used as a negative selection marker and N-AcPt can be used as a substrate of argE gene. Using former purification method (Kriete G., et al., 1996) was very expensive because the small amount of N-AcPt produced by the method. We developed a strategy to produce N-AcPt by means of chemical method. N-AcPt function was identified using hygromycin resistant T1 seeds on MS basal medium contained N-AcPt prior to utilization of argE gene as a negative selection marker in marker free transgenic rice. Negative selection effects were performed with T1 seeds containing argE gene under N-AcPt. This system provides a efficient negative selection effect from transgenic rice and that will be efficiently used for the production of marker gene free rice plants.

BEL1-like transcription factors interact with Knotted1 types to regulate numerous developmental processes. In potato (Solanum tuberosum), the BEL1 transcription factor St BEL5 and its protein partner POTH1 regulate tuber formation by mediating hormone levels in the stolon tip. The accumulation of St BEL5 RNA increases in response to short-day photoperiods, inductive for tuber formation. RNA detection methods and heterografting experiments demonstrate that BEL5 transcripts are present in phloem cells and move across a graft union to localize in stolon tips, the site of tuber induction. This movement of RNA to stolon tips is correlated with enhanced tuber production. Overexpression of BEL5 transcripts that include the untranslated sequences of the BEL5 transcript endows transgenic lines with the capacity to overcome the inhibitory effects of long days on tuber formation. Addition of the untranslated regions leads to preferential accumulation of the BEL5 RNA in stolon tips under short-day conditions. Using a leaf-specific promoter, the movement of BEL5 RNA to stolon tips was facilitated by a short-day photoperiod, and this movement was correlated with enhanced tuber production. These results implicate the transcripts of St BEL5 in a long-distance signaling pathway that are delivered to the target organ via the phloem stream.

Plant peroxidases (PODs) have been shown to reduce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the presence of an electron donor. Extracellular POD also induce H2O2 production, and can perform a significant function in responses to environmental stresses. We previously described the isolation of 10 POD cDNA clones from cell cultures of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas). Among them, the expression of the swpa4 gene was profoundly induced by a variety of stresses. In this study, transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants overexpressing the swpa4 gene under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter were generated in order to assess the function of swpa4. Both transient expression analysis with the swpa4-GFP fusion protein and POD activity assays in the apoplastic washing fluid revealed that the swpa4 protein is secreted into the apoplastic space. The transgenic plants also evidenced a significantly enhanced tolerance to a variety of abiotic and biotic stresses. These plants harbored increased lignin and phenolic content, and H2O2 was also generated under normal conditions. Furthermore, they manifested increased expression levels of a variety of apoplastic acidic pathogenesis-related (PR) genes following enhanced H2O2 production. These results suggest that the expression of swpa4 in the apoplastic space functions as a positive defense signal in the H2O2-regulated stress response signaling pathway.

Echinacea purpurea is an important medicinal plant native of North America, which contains caffeic acid derivatives, alkamides, glycoproteins, and polysaccharides. For commercial roduction of bioactive compounds from Echinacea purpurea, adventitious roots were induced and proliferated in 5 and 20-liter bioreactors under various cultural conditions (Medium composition, inoculum density, air volume, light, temperature et al.). In a 5-liter bioreactor, more than 10-fold of biomass increment was achieved after 5 weeks of culture. Increases of root biomass and bioactive compounds were correlated with increased consumption of sucrose and macro/micro nutrients in the medium. Elicitations have been conducted with UV-C, NO, and SA to increase the accumulation of total polyphenolics, flavonoids and caffeic acid derivatives in the adventitious root cultures, which resulted in 1.2-1.6 times of increment. Based on the previous experimental results, 500-liter and 1000-liter scale bioreactors were applied for large scale cultures of Echinacea purpurea adventitious roots. Total root biomass of 3.62 kg and 5.05kg (dry weight) were achieved in a 500 L and a 1000 L bioreactor, respectively. The accumulation of 22.55 mg/g DW cichoric acid, 4.92 mg/g DW chlorogenic acid and 3.99 mg/g DW caftaric acids were also achieved from the adventitious root in a 1000-liter scale bioreactor.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer), a perennial herb in the Araliaceae family, is one of the most commonly utilized medicinal plants in the world. Because whole genome sequence of the ginseng plant is not analyzed, the expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from a ginseng plant was studied by constructing cDNA libraries. Almost 20,000 ESTs were collected and BLAST comparisons of the cDNAs in GenBank’s non-redundant databases revealed that many cDNAs (89.1%) exhibited a high degree of sequence homology to genes from other organisms. The majority of the identified transcripts were found to be genes related with energy, metabolism, subcellular localization, and protein synthesis. Many cDNA clones containing fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase, dehydrin, catalase, and glutathion-S-transferase etc. were analyzed to study their characteristics. The expressions of the genes in different organs were analyzed using reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR. In addition, the expressions of the genes under different abiotic stresses were analyzed at different time points. Ginseng Genetic Resource Bank (GGRB) in Kyung Hee University is the center constructed for ginseng genomic and genetic information. GGRB collects genetic resources of ginseng cultivars with systematic management system for effective conservation and application of the resources. GGRB supplies researchers new ginseng cultivars, specific markers, ginseng DNA and RNA for scientific researches.

Living modified organisms(LMO) by modern biotechnology has played a highly visible role. But the public concerns relating to the environmental risk of LMO have been raised because of the potential benefits of this new technology. The recently adapted Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety contains an Annex on risk assessment, which specifies in some detail points to consider. All LMO should be evaluated according to their biological properties(phenotypic, genetic, agronomic and ecological characteristics) before release to the environment. To build up the capacity building of risk assessment method for LMO used environmental remediation, we engineered a model plant, Solanum nigrum L. expressing organomercurial lyase gene(merB). MerB transforms methylmercury to less toxic, non-biomagnified ionic mercury. In this report, we compared 8 different phenotypic, agronomic characteristics and rhizosphere microorganisms with control. The difference between transgenic and non-transgenic plant has not found.

최근 원유가는 $90/barrel로 상승하였으며, 원유는 언젠가는 고갈될 한정된 자원이다. 또한 이와 같은 화석연료는 CO2, SOx, NOx 등을 방출하여 지구온난화, 대기오염 등의 환경문제를 일으키고 있다. 따라서 전세계적으로 대체에너지, 재생에너지 개발에 노력하고 있으며, 바이오에너지도 이에 속한다. 원유를 대체할 수 액상의 바이오에너지는 biodiesel로 현재 콩, 옥수수 등의 작물로부터 주로 생산되고 있다. 광합성 미생물인 미세조류(microalgae)의 태양에너지 이용효율은 5%정도로, 육상식물의 0.2%에 비해 약 25배 정도 높은 것으로 알려져 있다. 즉, 단위면적당 biodiesel 생산성이 높고, 비경작의 토지를 이용할 수 있다는 장점이 있다. 현재 미세조류 중에서 Botryococcus sp. Pleurochrysis 등을 이용한 biodiesel 생산이 시도되고 있다. 주요 기술분야는 1) 우량 미세조류주 개발로써 미세조류 탐색, 유전체 구조 및 기능 연구, 분자적 균주개량 등이 있다. 2) 대규모 배양을 위해서는 미세조류 배양공정의 최적화, 광생물반응기(photobioreactor) 개발, 옥외 대량배양 등이 중요하다. 3) Biodiesel의 효율적 생산을 위해서는 미세조류 수확법 개발, 미세조류 biomass를 biodiesel로 전환하는 Transesterification 공정개발 등이 필요하다. 미세조류로부터 CO2 고정 및 biodiesel 생산을 목표로 결성된 국제적 network인 INMB(International Network for Microalgae Biofixation)의 목표는 2012년까지 실현 가능한 기술개발로서 미세조류 생산성을 현재의5 0 dw ton/ha/yr로부터 2배 수준이 100 dw ton/ha/yr로 증대시키는 것이다. 장기적으로는 미세조류(Botryococcus sp.)의 배양면적을 점차 늘려 전 세계적으로 10 백만 ha 규모(전 세계적으로 운영되고 있는 새우와 물고기 양식장의 크기와 유사한 규모)의 pond에서 미세조류를 배양하여 1 Gt의 CO2 방출 저감효과를 내는 것이다. 따라서 미세조류의 대량배양은 생물연료인 biodiesel의 생산과 동시에 배양과정에서 대기 중 CO2의 흡수에 의한 지구온난화 방지효과를 동시에 달성할 수 있는 환경 친화적 에너지 생산기술이다. 그러나 미세조류 biodiesel이 원유 diesel과 경쟁하기 위해서 생산가를 현재의 $2.80/L에서 $0.55/L로 낮추어져야 한다. 이를 위해서는 유전체 기능연구를 토대로 우량 균주개발, 대량 배양기술 개발 등에 대한 집중적 연구가 수행되어야 한다.

산업혁명 이후 오늘날까지 인류의 생존을 위한 경제생활의 주 에너지원은 화석연료였다. 화석연료는 에너지 및 연료 그 차체뿐만 아니라 의약품, 농약, 향료, 플라스틱, 고무, 접착제, 합성섬유 등과 같은 다양한 탄소제품의 기본 원료를 제공한다. 20세기 포드주의에 기초한 대량생산 및 대량소비체제의 기술-경제시스템은 그러한 연료의 사용을 가속화시켰다. 그 결과, 가용할 화석연료의 매장량이 얼마 남아 있지 않는 것으로 추정되고 있다. 게다가 인류에게 의․식․주, 특히 식량, 의약품 및 산업용 유용물질을 제공해 왔던 생물자원의 파괴 및 남용과 이를 통한 다양성 감소는 에너지 및 자원위기를 가중시켜 인류의 생존을 위협할 것으로 전망되고 있다. 생물은 가뭄에 말랐다가도 비가 오면, 다시 물이 채워져 솟아오른다. 화석연료는 퍼 올리는 만큼 재충(再充)이 안 된다. 전 세계에 매장되어 있는 화석연료의 사용가능 연수는 현재의 연간 생산량만큼 매년 화석 연료를 생산한다면 석유(1조 196억배럴)는 앞으로 43년, 천연가스(144조m2)는 62년, 석탄(1조 316억톤)은 231년, 원자력발전에 이용되는 우라늄(436만톤)은 앞으로 72년이 지나면 없어질 것으로 에너지 전문가들은 예측하고 있다. 최근 국제 유가의 상승은 수급불안이 구조적으로 고착화되어 고유가 기조가 장기화될 조짐을 보이고 있으며, 이러한 에너지 위기는 에너지 자원의 고갈과 에너지의 과도한 사용으로 발생한 기후 변화라는 두 개의 전선에서 동시에 밀려오고 있습니다 . 국제 에너지 가격 상승에 따른 에너지 안보와 지구온난화에 대한 CO2 저감의 대비책을 마련하고, 농산물 완전개방화시대에 직면한 시점에서 농업의 먹을거리ㆍ입을거리 기능에 환경친화적 순환형 바이오에너지의 원료 생산 기능이 새롭게 부각되면서 위기에 직면한 농업에 새로운 활로가 될 수 있을 것입니다. 바이오 연료의 대표적인 예로는 메탄올(Methanol), 바이오에탄올(Bioethanol), 바이오디젤(Biodiesel), 바이오가스, 기타 고형 연료 등을 들 수 있다. 이들 모두는 전력생산이나 수송수단의 연료로 쓰일 수 있지만, 현재까지는 바이오에탄올과 바이오디젤이 수송용 연료를 중심으로 상업화가 가장 활발하다. 바이오디젤용 원료작물에는 유채, 콩, 해바라기, 팜, 자트로파, 아주까리, 땅콩 등이 있으며, 바이오에탄올용 원료작물은 당료작물(사탕수수, 사탕무, 단수수 등), 전분작물(옥수수, 카사바, 야콘, 고구마, 감자, 돼지감자, 벼, 보리, 밀 등), 사료작물(진주조) 및 초본작물(Switch grass, Miscanthus, Reed Canary grass 등)로 구분된다. 농촌진흥청에서는 ‘친환경바이오에너지연구사업단’을 구성하여 바이오에너지 원료작물에 대한 품종개발 및 최대생산 기술개발에 관한 연구에 집중하고 있다

고유가 및 지구 온난화 문제가 심각하여짐에 따라 바이오매스로부터 생산되는 바이오에너지를 생산하여 이용하려는 방안이 활발하게 검토되고 있다. 바이오에너지는 열, 전기 또는 차량용 연료 등으로 활용 가능하며 일부 바이오에너지는 국내에서도 실제 생산하여 이용되고 있다. 바이오에너지는 화석에너지에 비해 많은 장점이 있지만 경제성이 떨어진다는 결정적인 약점을 갖고 있다. 또한 차량용 바이오연료의 경우 현재 생산에 사용되는 원료가 식용 곡물이어서 바이오연료의 보급이 늘어남에 따라 식량 가격이 치솟는 문제도 발생하고 있다. 국내외에서는 이러한 문제 해결을 위해 다양한 연구가 진행되고 있으며 본고에서는 현재 수행되고 있는 바이오에너지 기술 개발 현황에 대해 소개하고자 한다

혐기성 세균인 Clostridium cellulovorans는 셀룰라아제 복합체인 셀룰로좀(cellulosome)을 통해 목질계 바이오매스(lignocellulosic biomass)를 분해한다. 바이오매스 성분은 기본적으로 셀룰로오스(cellulose), 헤미셀룰로오스(hemicellulose), 리그닌(lignin) 등으로 구성된 혼성중합물이므로 단일효소론 효과적인 분해가 이루어 지지 않는다. 최근의 본 연구자는 C.cellulovorans의 셀룰로좀 유전자 전사체 조절자 인식연구, 프로티오믹스 분석연구 및 변형체 분해효소 합성연구를 통해 셀룰로좀은 배양배지의 구성성분(에 너지 및 탄소원)에 따라 그 복합체 구성 효소를 조절하고 특이적 셀룰로좀 소집단을 구성해 가장 높은 효소 활성도를 형성한다는 사실을 밝혔다. 이 같은 연구 결과를 근거로 바이오매스의 구성성분에 맞추어 분해 효율이 높은 유전자가 조작된 변형체 미니셀룰로좀(minicellulosomes)을 디자인하고 이를 각각 다른 기주의 산업 미생물에 발현시켰다. 이렇게 구성된 유전자 재조합 미생물은 바이오매스를 주원료로 하여 바이오에너지를 생산 한다. 궁극적으로 미니셀룰로좀을 통해 바이오매스를 당으로 변형시키는 연구는 효모(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)를 기주로 이용한 에탄올 발효뿐 아니라 선택된 유용한 산업 미생물(Corynebacterium glutamicum, Bacillus subtilis)에 따라 산업적으로 유용한 바이오에너지 및 바이오폴리머를 생산하는 바이오정유산업(biorefinery)의 터전을 마련할 수 있게 될 것이다.

High level of sequence similarity and genetic conservation within plants of same family allow us to use the informations and cDNA microarray obtained from a model plant such as Arabidopsis for better understanding of non-model plants within the same family, for example, rapeseed. Several lines of rapeseed plants with different sensitivity to cold stress were selected and the gene expression profiles under cold stress were examined using 1.6K specialized cDNA microarray. For the comparative analysis between Arabidopsis, economic plants and rapeseed, we adopted a recently developed computational method called "Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA)" which determines whether defined set of genes show statically significant and concordant differences between two biological states. Along this, five different gene sets including a network gene set based on a regulatory gene network model for early cold stress response and a co-expression gene set based on ∼ 1,500 expression data were built in this lab. With these gene sets and GSEA method, the expression data was analyzed to pinpoint the group of genes potentially responsible for the difference of stress sensitivity between two different plants. Since the plant encounters stress combinations concurrently or separated temporally and must present an integrated response to them, we built 'Cross-talk map' using ∼ 63 expression data of Arabidopsis under 9 different environmental stresses. Utilizing this cross-talk map, the significance of the identified group of genes was evaluated for their practical application to enhance stress tolerance. Currently, we identified several promising genes at a cross-talk point and are pursuing transgenic engineering to enhance the stress tolerance against more than two stress conditions.

1. 바이오에너지 개요 - 바이오에너지란 동식물 등을 원료로 하여 생산되는 신․재생 에너지로서, 경유를 대체하는 바이오디젤과 휘발유를 대체하는 바이오에탄올이 대표적임 - 바이오에너지는 경유보다 가격경쟁력이 낮지만, 화석연료 대체, 온실가스 감축, 환경오염 저감, 농가소득 보전 등의 사회적 편익을 위해 세계는 정부차원에서 생산․공급을 추진하고 있음 2. 바이오에너지 국제 동향 - 고유가 및 화석연료 대체에너지에 대한 세계의 관심이 고조되는 가운데 , 바이오에탄올은 2000~2005년 사이에 2배 이상 증가하였고, 바이오디젤은 동기간에 4배 이상 급격하게 증가하였음 - 미국, 유럽, 브라질 등 바이오에너지 선진국은 관련법 또는 제도를 갖추고, 이 토대위에서 세금감면, 보조금 지원, 의무사용 등의 정책을 개발하여 시행하고 있음 3. 한국의 바이오에너지 정책 - 국내에서도 바이오디젤은 시범보급(02~06) 이후, 경유에 약 0.5%(연간 9만㎘)를 혼합하여 공급하고 있음 - 그러나 국내 바이오디젤의 원료는 대부분 수입되고 있어(수입대두유 77%, 폐식용유 23%) 바이오디젤의 사회적 편익이 낮아 바이오디젤 보급의 명분 약화 4. 바이오디젤과 농업정책 - 바이오디젤 보급정책은 농업과 연계될 경우, 사회적편익을 극대화 할 수 있음 - 농림부에서는 ‘바이오디젤 유채생산 시범사업’을 통해 원료용 유채의 생산-공급체계를 구축할 예정임

Genetic diversity'refers to the variation of genes within a population or species, that is the combination of different genes found within a population of a single species, and the pattern of variation found within different populations of the same species. This covers distinct populations of the same species or genetic variation within a population. Ultimately, genetic diversity resides in changes in the sequence of the four base pairs of the DNA that constitutes the genetic code. Analyzing genetic variation with molecular technologies gives information at the DNA level. It can be neutral diversity, identified along the DNA sequence in regions whose function is unknown, such as when we use anonymous types of markers (e.g. AFLPs, RAPDs) or, the diversity can be based on known genes, that is, within the coding regions of the DNA sequence. This diversity affects the expression of those genes and, consequently, the RNAthe nucleic acid in charge of translating the information of the genetic code into proteins. Proteins, in their turn, are the elements that make up the structure of organisms, which means they are responsible for what we see, the phenotype. Hence, genotype and phenotype are closely associated. Phenotypic measures of diversity can also be used and, if correctly taken, they may reflect the molecular constitution of a given individual. Researcher must take into account that molecular tools can offer greater depth to diversity studies and that they provide a common groundfor measuring and analyzing diversity. However, molecular data are often complementary to other characterization data (e.g. morphology, pathology) and the combined analysis of these data may offer a more comprehensive ground for interpretation. Molecular markers have already played a major role in the genetic characterization and improvement of many crop species. They have also contributed to and greatly expanded our abilities to assess biodiversity, reconstruct accurate phylogenetic relationships, and understand the structure, evolution and interaction of plant and microbial populations. The first generation of molecular markers, RFLP, were based on DNA-DNA hybridization and were slow and expensive. The invention of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify short segments of DNA gave rise to a second generation of faster and less expensive PCR-based markers. As technology grows new detection systems are developed in search for even more efficient marker systems and cost effective markers for the breeders of the 21st century for germplasm characterization and other uses. The TNAU is involved in the complete range of activities for the conservation and documentation of genetic resources in major cereals (rice, maize and ragi) and pulses (green gram, black gram and soy bean). This includes both domestic and foreign exploration, seed increase, characterization, evaluation, preservation, rejuvenation and documentation. Genomic tools will be employed maintenance and understanding to study the molecular diversity of these crops.

New food material "Rosa rugosa petal" with strong anti-oxidant activity We have recognized that administration of the flower of R. rugosa reduced the odor of mouse's feces. Thus, we supposed that it must be effective for human, and the effect was proved by the experiments of volunteer. Moreover, it was proved to be effective for aging odor of human. The effects must be due to anti-oxidative activities of R. rugosa. Ear wax was collected from volunteer, 50 year old or more, and the ether extract of the wax was analyzed by GC-MS for detection of 2-nonenal. 2-Nonenal was detected in the ear wax of few volunteers, but the administration of 2 capsules containing 100mg of R. rugosa per day reduced the 2-nonenal under detection limit. These results were patented in Japan(JP No.4008369), and a new company, Harunire bio laboratory Co., was established in Kitami Institute of Technology in 2003 for development of new products. The active constituents in R. rugosa supposed to be polyphenols, hydrolysable tannnins, such as rugosin A, tellimagrandin, and the contents of these polyphenols exceed more than 20% in dry flower of R. rugosa. The flower of R. rugosa was also shown to inhibit many enzymes, such as α-amylase and α-glucosidase, and prevent intestinal disorder. Various physiological activities are evaluated using isolated polyphenols now. Product development of new functional foods from onion (Sun Onion) The amount of onion production in the Abashiri-Kitami area is about 30% of Japan. Thus, the research for development of functional foods using onion was started for the increment of onion consumption. The following new results were obtained (JP No.3697524). The flavonoids in the juice and the squeezing residue resulted in process of onion juice manufacture were analyzed, and large amount of quercetin and its glycosides were shown to remained in the squeezing residue. The amounts of flavonoids in the residue are 5-10 times of those in the juice. Moreover, the squeezing residue contains insoluble dietary fibers, and it must be expected to improve of intestinal disorders. The irradiation of light (2500lux) on onion in artificial weather machine increased the amount of quercetin eight times. Thus, the new food material using the squeezing residue after the irradiation of sunlight, stronger than artificial light was developed. The amount of flavonoid (total quercetin) was shown to exceed 800mg/100g, and the amount of the pectin was about 10g/100g, these contents were extremely higher than those without irradiation. Moreover, α-glucosidase inhibitor was isolated from onion irradiated by sunlight, and the activity of irradiated onion was shown to be twice of that of without irradiation. Breeding of new onion rich in functional constituents We analyzed flavonoids by HPLC in 15 kinds of onions cultivated in Hokkaido Kitami Agricultural Experiment Station, and 15 kinds onions cultivated in Sapporo Agricultural Experiment Station. Total flavonoids contents of edible part of these onions were 24～293mg/100g, and those in outer peel were 265～5,613mg/100g. The onion breed with high flavonoids contents was discovered. The cultivation characteristic and the processing characteristic are now under investigation. In a human clinical trial, the R. rugosa petal was proven to decreased neutral fat (triglycerides). The R. rugosa petal must to be commercialized as the functional food and cosmetic product. In the case of sunlight onion, applications for vegetable juice and function food are under investigation.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) has been used as an important oriental medicine since ancient times. Ginseng roots, one of the most famous and expensive crude drugs, have been commonly used to promote the quality of life. Cultivation of P. ginseng is difficult because of its long cultivation period of more than four years, its sun shading, absence of recurring cultivation and various diseases. Conventional breeding of P. ginseng is also difficult and impractical since the procedure takes more than 50 years. In view of these facts, biotechnological applications have been considered as an alternative approach for ginseng improvement and propagation and the production of raw materials for medicinal use. The representative secondary compound accumulated in roots of ginseng species is ginsenoside, a triterpenoid saponin. Ginsenosides are considered to be the main bioactive compounds derived from the roots and rhizomes of different Panax species (Araliaceae). The enzyme squalene synthase catalyzes the first step from the central isoprenoid pathway towards sterol and triterpenoid biosynthesis. Both phytosterols and triterpenes in plants are synthesized from the product of cyclization of 2,3-oxidosqualene. The step in ginsenoside synthesis involves cyclization of 2,3-oxidosqualene to oleanane and a dammarene-type triterpene skeleton. Enzymes at the later step of ginsenoside biosynthesis are cytochrome P450s and glycosyltransferases. The genes for biochemical pathways involved in saponin biosynthesis are of considerable interest in the area of ginseng biotechnology. We investigated the roles of squalene synthase (PgSS1) protein on the biosynthesis of phytosterols and triterpenoids. Over-expression of the PgSS1 gene in adventitious roots of transgenic P. ginseng resulted in the up-regulation of the downstream genes, such as squalene epoxidase, beta-amyrin synthase and cycloartenol synthase. Transgenic P. ginseng also exhibited a remarkable increase in the production of phytosterol (beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol) and triterpene saponins (ginsenosides). The first committed step in ginsenoside synthesis is the cyclization of 2,3-oxidosqualene to dammarenediol II by the oxidosqualene cyclase (dammarenediol synthase). The gene encoding dammarenediol synthase was characterized by our research group. We reported that ectopic expression of dammarenediol synthase gene (DDS) in yeast mutant (erg7) lacking lanosterol synthase resulted in the production of dammarenediol and hydroxydammarenone which were confirmed by LC/APCIMS. RNA interference (RNAi) of DDS in transgenic P. ginseng resulted in silencing of DDS expression which leads reduction of ginsenosides production to 84.5% in roots. Now we are focused on the characterization of cytochrome P450 for biosynthesis of protopanaxadiol and protopanaxatriol used as backbones for ginsenoside

Plant germplasm resources are the plant materials containing useful inheritable characters of actual or potential value. Generally speaking, plant resources include cultivated and wild plants. China is a megadiversity country. A great lot of different complex climate environments in China such as dryness, wetness, clearness, clouding, shade, plain, hill, mountain, and so on, have gestated many Chinese endemic special plants. Some of them have special genes, such as resistance to drought, chilliness, disease, pests, and saltness etc, elite quality, high yield characteristics and so on. There are 470 families、about 3 7000 genus、more than 30 000 species of lichen, fern、seed plants in China. Special species in China involve 200 genus and about 10 000 species. Plant resources in China are conservated in situ and ex situ, by means of reforestation, regrassing, natural protection zones, arboreta, campus, parks, and institutes, etc. National Crop Gene Bank in Beijing, built in 1986, has 3200m2, two long-term rooms (T=-18℃±1℃, RH<50%) with the capability 400,000. There are more than 340,000 accessions in long-term banks of the National Crop Gene Bank of China, involving 35 families, 192 genus, 725 species. Among them, 80% are native to China. Up to now, there have been more than 210 main tree species for artificial forestation in China. Among them, there are more than 120 species for reforestation of barren slopes, deserts, and stony mountains. There are about 800-1000 Chinese traditional medicine plants, which were mainly conservated in situ and ex situ. The application of plant germplasm in China in plant biotechnology were reviewed on the following aspects: (1)Core germplasm construction by molecular marker technology (2)Plant germplasm preservation by biotechnology (3) Plant germplasm reproduction and industrialization by biotechnology (4) Elite gene discoverfrom plant germplasm by biotechnology (5) Plant germplasm in China and gene engineering technology. At last, some problems of plant resources in China were put forward.

China is an agricultural country with a large proportion of rural population. With the transition from a planned to a market-oriented rural economy, the accomplishments in agriculture were remarkable in the country in last decades. It is the fact that land holdings are very small in China and a large number of labours are shifting from rural areas to the urban areas. With the goals to meet the nation's food needs and poverty reduction for the huge population, China is facing challenges in the way of raising the income of rural people and sustainable development in agriculture. Farmers currently gain benefits from the new policies on rural reform, which has played critical role in the success of sustained rural development. The strategies for harmonizing the development between rural and urban areas being implemented will help to generate more developmental opportunities for rural communities. The researches on science and technology in agriculture have progressed dramatically in China. The hybrid rice is a remarkable achievement by Chinese scientists, which not only contributes to the food security in China, but also the whole world. The relevant organizations play a significant role in improving sciences and technologies among farmers by bringing advanced knowledge to the countryside and to every rural household. Currently, many programmes are going on for promoting economic construction in rural areas. Plant genetic resources are critical for meeting the goals of agricultural development in China. In last many years, Chinese government gave high priority to conservation and use of plant genetic resources. The national plant genetic resources management system is very complicated and usually operated by several relevant ministries, the State Forestry Administration for forest genetic resources programme, the Ministry of Health and the State Administration of Traditional Medicine for the medicinal plant genetic resources programme, and the Ministry of Agriculture for the crop genetic resources programme. China has set up the national ex situ conservation system composed of long-term genebank, mid-term genebank and field genebank. About 390 thousand accessions have been stored in these genebanks. Characterization and evaluation were carried out for most of agronomic characters. Useful materials were identified and distributed to breeders and other users. Documentation system on crop genetic resources was well developed. For future, the efforts will be made to promote the safeguard of the existing collections, including wild relatives of crops. The use of crop genetic resources in improvement programmes should be the ultimate objective of all undertaking activities in the country. The researches on plant genetic resources will be advanced through the activities on analyzing the genetic diversity, identifying genepools, mining useful genes, and promoting the access to genetic materials.

Biogreen21 is a national R&D program to gear up agro-biotechnologies mainly organized by the Rural Development Administration in close cooperation with industrial-universities consortia for 10 years since the year 2001. The goals of the program are : 1) Development of indigenous and fundamental agrobiotechnologies and materials in Korea. 2) Promotion of practical use of agrobiotechnology on the basis of indigenous fundamental technology. 3) Provision of the foundation for agricultural industry using advanced technologies through the development of novel biomaterials with value-added functional traits. The program is composed of three phases to accomplish the goal for 10 years through the developmental stages as the time goes by. Final phase will be due on 2008 to 2010. The goal of the phase would be on promotion of product-based projects for industrialization of biotechnological outputs. The objectives of the phase will be put on : 1) bisafety assessment of Gm products and commerciliazation of transgenic plants, and 2) Certification of novel materials with high value including its promotion and commercialization. If we could have carried out this special project successfully, it would be expected 1) Realization of a strong nation with advanced agrobiotechnology by constructing the foundation of science comparable to that of developed countries. 2) Transforming Korean agriculture into a high-tech and highly competitive industry with competitiveness. 3) Improving quality of rural life through reduction of labor power and environment- friendly agriculture