RESEARCH ARTICLES/INFORMATION

Research Category: Soybean Utilization Year: 2003 Researcher: Daina Simmonds Institution: AAFC Topic: Soybean Biotechnology for Crop Improvement Funding: $14,500 Research Details: The research goal is to increase protein quality by increasing methionine and lysine, amino acids that are considered to be deficient in the seed. In this research a gene that produces a highly digestible synthetic protein, rich in methionine and lysine, was transformed into the soybean. This procedure was done to ensure that the protein was stable in the leaf and seed cells. If the protein were not stable within the plant, it would be broke down and possibly rendered useless. To increase the protein content in the seeds a specific storage promoter was cloned and tested. Results for this research in 2002 showed that the promoter was functioning as desired and created high protein concentration. Fifteen independent clones carrying the synthetic protein were developed and are now producing plants. The research was designed to identify the lines of soybeans that are high in the synthetic protein. Long-term plans for this research were intended to identify the level of methionine and lysine in seeds, use alternative ways to achieve higher protein quality, and study the mechanisms that control seed protein storage. Increased protein quality is significant to soybean growers in terms of marketability. Protein quality makes the soy products more competitive in comparison to other high quality protein products such as animal proteins. File: