Objective A network of laboratories will be formed to create a large population of gene-trap insertions in the genome of Arabidopsis thaliana to detect the spatial and temporal expression patterns of approximately 5.000 genes, and to identify and characterise the regulatory elements of these genes. Data obtained on the genes, in which transposons are inserted, will be obtained by sequencing the insertion site and this will be related to genome sequence and expression patterns in a functional genomics database. Gene expression patterns in a wide range of tissues and conditions will be defined and put in the database. The products of research will be a powerful resource to analyse the function of 20% of the genes in Arabidopsis, and these will be exploited by industrial partners.The EXOTIC project has generated 25,367 gene trap lines. This collection stands beside the CSHL collection of 18,764 gene trap and 14,204 enhancer trap lines (http://genetrap.cshl.org/servlet/CurrentStats). These collections, when available via stock centres and comprehensively described, will be a key asset for understanding gene function and gene expression in Arabidopsis. Table 2 describes the current status of gene disruption in Arabidopsis. The AtIDB database shows that 80% of the 29,000 predicted genes harbour disruptions. This represents outstanding progress towards the community goal of generating disruptions of all genes by 2005. It also shows that EU activities (GABI-KAT, Flag, Garnet and EXOTIC) have contributed nearly half of the lines available for gene disruption. It is likely that the random insertion strategies used with such success so far will not be cost effective in reaching the remaining 20% of genes, so new approaches will be needed. Here transposon insertions, which can be re-mobilised for efficient local mutagenesis, may provide users with resources to tackle genes of interest. Gene traps can also identify gene disruptions in the heterozygous state and that are expressed in the extended haploid stages, which may affect zygote viability. These factors suggest gene trap collections, such as the EXOTIC collection, will provide a key resource for tackling the remaining genes. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdatabasesnatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsgenomes Programme(s) FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002 Topic(s) 1.1.1.-8. - Research into genomes and diseases of genetic origin Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator AMICA SCIENCE EEIG EU contribution No data Address Norwich Research Park John Innes Centre, Colney NR4 7UH NORWICH United Kingdom See on map Total cost No data Participants (10) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS Spain EU contribution No data Address Campus de la Universidad Autonoma de Madrid 28049 MADRID See on map Total cost No data DLF - TRIFOLIUM A/S Denmark EU contribution No data Address 31,Hojerupvej 31 4660 STORE HEDDINGE See on map Total cost No data FLANDERS INTERUNIVERSITY INSTITUTE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY VZW Belgium EU contribution No data Address Rijvisschestraat 120 9052 ZWIJNAARDE See on map Total cost No data JOHN INNES CENTRE United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Norwich Research Park NR4 7UH Norwich See on map Total cost No data PLANT RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL B.V. Netherlands EU contribution No data Address Droevendaalsesteeg 1 WAGENINGEN See on map Total cost No data RISOE NATIONAL LABORATORY Denmark EU contribution No data Address Frederiksborgvej 399 4000 ROSKILDE See on map Total cost No data THE UNIVERSITY OF MILANO Italy EU contribution No data Address Via Festa del Perdono 7 20122 MILANO See on map Total cost No data THE UNIVERSITY OF TUEBINGEN Germany EU contribution No data Address Wilhelmstrasse 5 72074 TUEBINGEN See on map Total cost No data UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN Denmark EU contribution No data Address Noerregade 10 1017 KOEBENHAVN K/COPENHAEGEN See on map Total cost No data UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH Switzerland EU contribution No data Address 107,Zollikerstrasse 107 8008 ZURICH See on map Total cost No data