{"id":908139,"date":"2026-11-06T16:32:11","date_gmt":"2026-11-06T16:32:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/908139\/"},"modified":"2026-11-06T16:32:11","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T16:32:11","slug":"decoding-the-genes-of-1000-vietnamese-rice-varieties-exploiting-valuable-genetic-resources","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/908139\/","title":{"rendered":"Decoding the genes of 1,000 Vietnamese rice varieties, exploiting valuable genetic resources."},"content":{"rendered":"

Exploiting the indigenous gene pool<\/p>\n

Each rice variety possesses a unique set of genetic information that determines many characteristics such as aroma, grain texture, drought tolerance, salt tolerance, and pest and disease resistance. Genome sequencing allows scientists<\/a> to read and analyze this information, thereby identifying the genetic basis that creates the characteristics of each variety. <\/p>\n

\"2.jpg\" Professor Vu Ha Van, Director of Science at the Institute for Big Data Research, VinUni University, shared information about the project. Photo: VinUni<\/p>\n

In Vietnam, many traditional and wild rice varieties are preserved in gene banks, research institutes, and universities such as the Plant Resources Center, the Mekong Delta Rice Research Institute, Can Tho University, and the Vietnam Academy of Agriculture<\/a> . However, most have not had their entire genomes sequenced, limiting the identification and exploitation of useful genetic traits.<\/p>\n

At the International Conference on Genetic Engineering Applications in Agriculture (SAGA 2026), the Vietnam Institute for Big Data Research (VIBD) at VinUni University introduced the VN1K-RICE project (1,000 Vietnamese Rice Genome Project), aiming to sequence the entire genome of 1,000 Vietnamese rice samples. The project started with 150 core samples before expanding in scale. The samples were selected from various cultivation ecosystems, including paddy rice, upland rice, rice in saline coastal areas, tidal wetlands, and wild rice.<\/p>\n

One important objective is to build a reference genome for traditional Vietnamese rice varieties. This will serve as a standard dataset for comparison when analyzing the genomes of other rice varieties, helping to more accurately identify genetic differences and search for genes related to valuable traits.<\/p>\n

Professor Robert Henry, Founding Director of the Queensland Alliance for Agricultural and Food Innovation (QAAFI), University of Queensland (Australia), associate lecturer at VinUni, and co-leader of the project, believes that a single genome cannot represent the entire genetic diversity of a species. Building a reference genome from indigenous rice varieties will allow for closer research into Vietnam’s genetic material.<\/p>\n

From genetic data to selective breeding<\/p>\n

The key aspect of the project is not just decoding and storing DNA sequences, but also finding the link between genes and the actual characteristics of rice plants.<\/p>\n

According to the plan, the research team will combine genomic data with evaluation results of rice varieties in three ecological zones. The indicators surveyed include rice grain quality and nutrition, such as stickiness, aroma, micronutrient and protein content; drought, salinity, heat, and flooding tolerance; disease resistance; and greenhouse gas emissions during cultivation. <\/p>\n

\"1.jpg\" Professor Robert Henry shared his thoughts on the potential of the project to decode 1,000 genes of Vietnamese rice. Photo: VinUni.<\/p>\n

By comparing the two sets of data, scientists can identify genes related to aroma, salt tolerance, or other characteristics, thereby selecting valuable gene sources for inclusion in breeding programs.<\/p>\n

Professor Vu Ha Van, Director of Science at VIBD and head of VN1K-RICE, stated that Vietnam possesses a diverse range of indigenous genes, but most have not been studied at the genome level. Through AgriOmics- AI<\/a> , the research team aims to transform existing gene collections into data that can be analyzed, shared, and directly used in breeding.<\/p>\n

Once the genes associated with a desired trait are identified, scientists can use the DNA data to screen genetic material, selecting individuals carrying the beneficial genes. For example, genetic material from native rice varieties that are salt-tolerant can be exploited to develop varieties adapted to saline soils; varieties with special aroma or rice quality can provide genetic material to improve existing cultivated varieties.<\/p>\n

The project also aims to develop near-isogenic rice lines, meaning lines with almost identical genetic backgrounds but differing in target gene regions. This material helps verify the role of each gene in specific traits. DNA markers identified from genomic data also support the identification and selection of varieties with valuable traits.<\/p>\n

In addition, artificial intelligence is used to process large volumes of genetic data, find relationships between genes and traits, predict gene function, and help identify potential research directions.<\/p>\n

VN1K-RICE is part of VIBD’s AgriOmics-AI research program for the period 2026-2030, combining genomic data and artificial intelligence to research, conserve, and exploit indigenous genetic resources in the fields of crops, livestock, aquaculture, and beneficial microorganisms.<\/p>\n

The project’s expected outcomes include genomic data from 1,000 rice samples, a high-quality reference genome for traditional rice, and gene activity data. This will serve as a source of information for research, conservation of genetic diversity, and breeding of high-quality rice varieties that are better adapted to climatic conditions, aiming towards low-emission agriculture.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Exploiting the indigenous gene pool Each rice variety possesses a unique set of genetic information that determines many…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":908140,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[50],"tags":[379795,99409,200,11132,79,379794,379793],"class_list":["post-908139","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-genetics","tag-gene-decoding","tag-genetic-technology","tag-genetics","tag-genomic-data","tag-science","tag-vietnamese-rice-varieties","tag-vinuni"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/908139","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=908139"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/908139\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/908140"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=908139"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=908139"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=908139"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}