Department of Crop GeneticsJohn Innes CentreNorwich Research ParkColney, Norwich NR4 7UHUKMini-biographyMike gained his M.Phil from the University of East Anglia while working at the John Innes Institute as it was then known. Mike joined the staff of the JII in 1975. His early years were involved with the work of Cliff Hedley in the physiological assessments of different foliage models (af, st) being produced in a combined pea breeding programme being run at the institute. Investigations into plant competition studies and the interactions between planting density and seed size led to the formulation of ideas on crop plant ideotypes for the pea crop. Always having an interest in variation led to him developing a strong interest in genetic resources. In 1989 he took over responsibility for the management of the John Innes Pisum collection. His involvement with plant genetic resources was further strengthened by the building of a purpose built seed store facility to house the UK small grain cereal collections on their move to the Institute in 1990. In 1994 the JII Pisum collection took over as the active centre for maintaining the reference collection for mutant genetic stocks and maintaining the gene list for Pisum.
Mike’s role in genetic resources and the collections he manages has continued to grow and is reflected in his involvement in many genetic resource networks including being chairman UK Plant Genetic Resources Group, chairman of ECPGR (European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources) Working Group for Grain Legumes and member of the Pisum Genetics Association Coordinating Committee.
Overview of Grain Legume ex-situ genetic resources: Where are they? How are they organised and how do I access them?
Mike Ambrose
Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich, NR4 7UH
mike.ambrose@bbsrc.ac.uk
There is an extensive range of ex situ grain legume genetic resource collection maintained around the world. Recent surveys show that there is still a lack of awareness of these collections and the extending range of resources they have to offer. This problem based presentation aims to highlight the key collections, networks and contact points for these resources and how they are increasingly aiming to collaborate to deliver as a community.
The John Innes Pisum CollectionMike Ambrose
Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich, NR4 7UH
mike.ambrose@bbsrc.ac.ukThis is an active broad based collection comprising some 3476 accessions. including a wide range of wild material, landraces and ecotypes. All categories of cultivated material are represented together with a large numbers of genetic stocks, near-isogenic lines and sets of host differentials for all major pea diseases. The collection acts as the International genetic stocks centre for the species and also maintains the web-searchable gene list for Pisum. A number of key recombinant inbred populations used for the mapping programmes at the JIC are also maintained as part of the collection. The collection has been the focus of extensive diversity studies using a range of marker systems. The collection is also involved in an initiative to develop a database system for plant genetic resources that will bring together passport, morphological and genotype data that will improve collection managements and data exploration across different data types (see Germinate abstract).
The work associated with the collection includes a range of genetic studies and programmes to develop new mutant resources and RIL populations for both the JIC and the wider community. A range of growing demonstrations are organised each summer for visitors to study and discuss. These include a display of wide diversity and a reference set of around 100 mutation stocks covering plant habit, foliage, flowers, pods, pigment systems and many others.
Materials from the collection are available on request subject to an MTA.
Exchange of germplasm and MTA'sMike Ambrose
Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich, NR4 7UH
mike.ambrose@bbsrc.ac.uk
Pre-1992 biodiversity was freely accessed and held in trust for the good of all mankind. The coming into force of the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) and more recently the
International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (IT) has radically changed the terms under which germplasm resources are accessed and distributed. This short presentation will set the scene for the latest development in this field, namely the adoption of a Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA) linked to the Multilateral System of the IT and will highlight the current thinking and interpretation of the SMTA and obligations for both providers and recipients of genetic resources under this treaty.
