The National BioResource Project Lotus and Glycine in Japan: Development to Applied Research from Basic Research in Legume

The National BioResource Project (NBRP) in Japan has been performed with collect, preserve and distributes biological resources (such as animals, microorganism, plants and/or DNA) for life sciences research in past decade. We have developed a specific database for the genera Lotus and Glycine, called “LegumeBase” (http://www.legumebase.brc.miyazaki-u.ac.jp/). Lotus japonicus is a perennial legume that grows naturally throughout Japan. It is widely used as a model plant for legumes because of such advantages as its small genome size and short life cycle and availability of transformation etc.. On the other hand, soybean (Glycine max) is the most important grain legume crop worldwide, for its useful component protein, oil and secondary metabolite, and the research community has accumulated a large amount of basic research and valuable bioresources. NBRP will support the development of legume research through the collection, conservation, and distribution of these bioresources. In here we will provide an overview of resources available from NBRP Lotus and Glycine database site, “LegumeBase”.