“Developing genomic resources for narrow leaf lupin with a focus on seeds”

Lupinus angustifolius, or narrow-leaf lupin (NLL), is the major grain legume grown in Australia.  While lupins have traditionally been used for animal feed, lupin kernel flour is high in protein and fibre and has potential human health benefits for obesity and diabetes. Our research has been focusing on seed storage protein gene families and underpinning genomic resources for characterising the lupin grain. The major class of seed storage proteins (SSP) in lupins are conglutins. We have undertaken genomic approaches to identify all conglutin genes in. NLL.  EST sequencing of the two cDNA libraries have allowed us to uncover a large number of conglutin genes existing in NLL.  We have identified 11 new family members and shown specific patterns of expression for the different NLL conglutin gene families. We have also helped to identify the major componenet of lupin-specific allergenicity and through the construction and screening of a large lupin BAC library, have identified genomic clones for NLL congulutins.  We have also sequenced a substantial number of BAC ends and this has given us important insight into the properties of the NLL genome such as genome organisation and composition and provided a platform for the sequencing of the NLL genome which is underway.