Smaller model genome for monocots – Brachypodium distachyon

A model organism means a biological species which is extensively studied to understand a particular biological process. There has been tremendous advancement in the past 20 years in the field of genomics and the quest for searching appropriate model organisms to aid studies which are of significant commercial or biological interest. A field of genom-ics known as 'functional genomics' has created challenges for model organisms in understanding the function of every gene in the genome. A model organism is chosen on the basis of certain criteria which include characters like short life-cycle, low proportion of junk DNA, acquiescent to experimental manipulation, non-specific living requirements, cheap to maintain and possessing characteristics of industrial, medical or agricultural interest.