Statement of Work.pdf

Statement of Work (SOW)

Project: Single-Cell Sequencing to Advance Genetic Improvement of Soybean Seed Composition

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.0 Scope of Work: Soybean is an important source of edible vegetable oil and protein throughout the world and is used in a multitude of food and industrial applications.

Even though soybeans are a rich source of protein for livestock and humans, the nutritional quality of soybean proteins is not optimal. Some of the problems associated with soybean proteins include (1) presence of anti-nutritional factors, (2) undesirable flavor, (3) elicitation of allergic reactions in susceptible individuals (4) poor digestibility of proteins, and (5) deficiency in sulfur-containing amino acids.

The goal of our research program is to improve the overall quality of soybean seed composition using molecular biological, biochemical, and agronomic approaches.

Our laboratory creates genetically modified soybeans to eliminate the problems associated with them. We create them by modifying their DNA, selecting for what traits we desire, growing them to maturity and analyzing them on a gene and protein level. The analysis of their gene expression requires profiling thousands of genes at the single cell level for unbiased characterization of cell types and cell states. To accomplish this, we are requesting technical service to accomplish single-cell sequencing of soybean.

2.0 Background:

Single-cell transcriptomics has led to fundamental new insights into animal biology, such as the discovery of new cell types and cell type-specific disease processes.

However, the application of single-cell approaches to plants has been far more limited, largely due to the challenges posed by polysaccharide walls surrounding plant cells. Single-cell sequencing will enable us to identify a unique transcriptional profile for each cell type, associate these with specific cell type functions, and define how cell types relate to one another functionally or developmentally (i.e., early, versus late developmental stages). Once the full complement of cell types is well defined, computational methods can be employed to address a wide range of questions, such as: what each cell type produces and how cell types respond to a variety of perturbations (e.g., environmental conditions or genetic mutation). These types of analyses have great potential to yield a more complete understanding of the function of cell populations, their adaptive and plastic properties.

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

3.0 Technical Requirements/Tasks:

The USDA, ARS, MWA, Plant Genetics Research Unit, Columbia, MO has a requirement/need for single-cell sequencing service.

A total of six samples will be shipped to the service provider on dry ice.

1. Demonstrated ability to perform single cell sequencing.

2. Improved detection sensitivity and measurement precision, which is essential for differentiating biological variation from high technical noise.

3. High-throughput and detailed genetic analyses.

4. optimized protocols for plant single cell sequencing.

5. Provide complete bioinformatic analysis.

4.0 Government Furnished: N/A

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule:

Single cell transcriptome of soybean Complete data including bioinformatic analysis completed within a year of sample submission

6.0 Travel: N/A

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel: N/A

8.0 Security Requirements: N/A

9.0 Data Rights: N/A

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards: N/A