July 11, 2011, Shenzhen, China BGI (previously known as the Beijing Genomics Institute), the largest genomic organization in the world, announced today that it was among the research organizations comprising the Potato Genome Sequencing Consortium (PGSC) that completed the genome sequence and analysis of the tuber crop potato, published as an Advance Online Publication in Nature.
This study marks an important milestone in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) genome research, revealing new insights into the evolutionary history of the potato genome, causes of inbreeding depression, and potential mechanisms of tuber initiation and development. These insights will generate great interest among botanists and breeders worldwide and facilitate the genetic engineering of this vital crop.
"BGI and its collaborators carried out the de novo sequencing, genome assembly and annotation of the potato genome, elucidating the evolutionary history of the genome and providing the foundation for biological analysis," stated Xun Xu, Vice President of Research and Development at BGI, and co-senior author of the report.
With the advanced genome sequencing capability of BGI, the homozygous doubled-monoploid DM1-3 516 R44 (DM) potato clone was sequenced by whole genome shotgun sequencing (WGS) approach with high coverage depths. The genome was then assembled by BGI's Short Oligonucleotide Analysis Package, SOAPdenovo, and 86% of the estimated total genome (844Mb) was assembled.
Researchers from BGI also aided in the potato gene annotation, of which 39,031 protein-coding genes were predicted. It is reported that at least two genome duplication events present in potato, indicating a paleopolyploid origin. Findings related with haplotype diversity, tuber biology and disease resistance are also reported.
"We found important genetic basis relate
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| Contact: Lei Su BGI-Marketing@genomics.cn 07-552-528-3805 Beijing Genomics Institute Source:Eurekalert |