This is from Humberto Peralta, researcher at the Center for Genomic Sciences, National University of Mexico in Cuernavaca (Mexico). Genomics can also be used to enhance yield of crops by studying the whole array of genes from beneficial microorganisms, but also by modifying specific genetic targets on them. Currently, there is a huge amount of sequenced bateria (3841 to date, http://www.genomesonline.org). There is genome information available for nitrogen fixing bacteria such as Rhizobium (bean, pea, vetch symbiont), Sinorhizobium (alfalfa symbiont), Bradyrhizobium japonicum (soy symbiont) etc. and also other plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) such as Herbaspirillum, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, and Frankia. Microorganisms can produce compounds to enhance root growth, incorporate nitrogen, solubilize phosphorus and potassium, cope with water stress (trehalose), biocontrol of damaging bacteria, fungi and insects, etc. Of course, the use of these organisms must be intended to the reduction or elimination of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, etc. in order to have a “greener” agriculture. In the Center for Genomic Sciences (National University of Mexico), we have studied rhizobia genomes to understand the information exchange between plasmids and chromosomes, the evolution of conserved genes, the genetic keys of nitrogen fixation efficiency (comparing genomes of strains with different symbiotic abilities) and how to enhance the common bean yield. We have used an array of strategies from sequencing (firstly done here in the Center, but given the high costs of maintenance and running of the equipment, now the service is hired abroad), to transcriptomics (performed here and in collaboration with other University institutions), proteomics (done at our laboratories) and metabolomics (hired abroad). I think that agriculture needs to be viewed as a complex system, where plants interact with inert soil elements but also with living cells. It is necessary to study the cellular processes from bacteria, fungi and plants as a whole, and in this regard the omics approach is a valuable tool. Humberto Peralta Center for Genomic Sciences National University of Mexico Av Universidad, Cuernavaca, Morelos. CP62210 Mexico Ph. 52 777 3290865 e-mail: peralta (a) ccg.unam.mx [To contribute to this conference, send your message to [log in to unmask] For further information on this FAO Biotechnology Forum, see http://www.fao.org/biotech/biotech-forum/] ######################################################################## To unsubscribe from the Biotech-Room3-L list, click the following link: https://listserv.fao.org/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=Biotech-Room3-L&A=1