topic Research

Genome Research

They might be inconspicuous, but micro-organisms play a central role in everyday life. They are everywhere and are used by man as helpers in the production of food. With the "Genome Research on Micro-organisms" programme, the BMBF is supporting the development of the diversity of micro-organisms and their characteristics for the benefit of humankind. Genome research on plants has become a highly competitive international research area linked to rapid scientific progress and important economic interests. This is the starting point for the BMBF's GABI Initiative.

Genome research is the decisive and basic area of science for gaining further knowledge in the life sciences. At the same time, it is the precondition for innovativeness in medicine, in the pharmaceuticals and biotech industry, agriculture, the food industry and environmental protection.

Genome Analysis in the Biological System of Plants (GABI)

Driven by the development of new technologies and dramatic advances in knowledge made by using model and crop plants, research into plant genomes has developed into a highly competitive international field of research which makes rapid progress and which involves major economic interests.

Plant genome research is an exemplary combination of scientific advances in knowledge and applied research. This is the starting point of the BMBF's GABI Initiative (Genome Analyse in the Biological System of Plants). The collaborative project strengthens German plant genome research, establishes international competence networks and promotes technology transfer between research institutions and companies.

The programme focuses on research projects which study the structure and function of the genomes of Arabidopsis thaliana and barley (as model plants) and the structure and function of selected genome segments of important crop plants, as well as the use of genomic information for objectives of applied research and the characterization of the network of effects of functionally important plant genes.
The GABI programme was launched in 1999 and has a duration of eight years with an annual funding volume of about €10 million.

Genome Research on Micro-organisms (GenoMik)

They might be inconspicuous, but micro-organisms play a central role in everyday life. They are everywhere and have been used by man as helpers in the production of food for decades.
With the Genome Research on Micro-organisms (GenoMik) programme, the BMBF is supporting the development of the diversity of micro-organisms and their characteristics for the benefit of humankind. The objective of GenoMik is to analyse the genome of these organisms and to thereby develop new therapies for infectious diseases (for example by producing medical drugs such as antibiotics) or to discover specific characteristics of micro-organisms which can be used for technical processes and products in the field of environmental protection - e.g. in tracing pollution and the reclamation of contaminated soil and sewage - and in modern food production.

From 2001 to 2004, the BMBF is providing funds of about €25 million to three competence networks which are focusing on genome research on micro-organisms for human health, genome research on micro-organisms for the analysis and use of biodiversity, and genome research on micro-organisms for environmental protection, agriculture and biotechnology.