Faculty Opinions recommendation of Brachypodium distachyon. A new model system for functional genomics in grasses.

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Abstract
This paper highlights the utility of Brachypodium distachyon, a member of the grass family, as a model system for carrying out functional genomics. The grasses are an agronomically important family, including rice, wheat and maize, yet molecular genetic analysis in many of these species is hampered by the difficulties in dealing with large genomes, long generation times, and limitations in transformation capabilities. The work presented here demonstrates that B. distachyon has a small and simple genome, a short life cycle, the capacity for mutant recovery and transformation, and is easy to grow, making this species a promising valuable addition as a model system.