Heavy-Ion Beam Mutagenesis : From Plant Breeding to Gene Function Analysis

Abstract

At RIKEN, we have developed a unique technology for mutation induction using heavy-ion beams from particle accelerators at the RI Beam Factory (RIBF). This development was achieved through an efficient synergistic link between agricultural science and accelerator physics. At relatively low doses, ion beams induce mutations at a high rate without severely inhibiting growth. The ion beam is a highly-efficient tool for improving crops through mutation breeding. We use high-throughput DNA sequencing techniques such as next-generation sequence instruments and microarray technologies for analysis of gene mutations. Mutants have become more and more useful and important in modern genetic studies, enabling the discovery of genes that control important traits, and revealing the functions and mechanisms underlying their operations. The discovery of genes using mutants may lead to the emergence of a new field in biology, 'Mutagenomics'.