Identified putative genes and gene variants that are specifically involved in the synthesis and storage of soybean seed oil, and their underlying genetic controls (gene regulatory networks) for soybean oil synthesis and storage in seeds.

Transgenic soybean plants containing over-expression and dsRNAi silencing vectors for two genes for validation of their gene functions and development of new high oil varieties without undesired effects on the other agronomic traits.

Transcript sequences and expressions of all genes expressed in soybean seeds of 100 germplasm important to US soybean breeding programs. The transcriptomic data will also serve as valuable genomic resources for soybean community. The data will be released to the public through a relational database and a G-browser. A set of functional markers for oil content and composition improvement.

Update:
Review of progress of objectives by number:
1. The main focus of the project over 5 years has been to identify all possible SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) that may affect synthesis of oil in soybean. A total of 21,161,532 SNPs have been identified among the 460 genotypes examined. The next planned step as the project wraps up is to measure the oil content, protein content, and fatty acid profile for 214 lines that contain higher than average values that will be compared for the interaction of these traits.
2. A browser and database to catalogue the SNPs for the use of others working on soybean oil has not been completed at this date.
3. One manuscript out of the two promised have been delivered thus far.
4. Transgenic constructs of over-expression and silencing are being prepared for two transcriptional factor genes that reportedly influence seed oil content.

The project discovered a very large number of SNPs (portions of genes) that expressed for oil synthesis in soybean. This can serve as a reference catalog for breeders and geneticists working on oil traits to further determine which SNPs and their associated genes may be most responsible for expressing for key oil traits in soybean.