The Sugarcane Genome Sequencing Initiative (SUGESI): Strategies for Sequencing a Highly Complex GenomeSugarcane cultivars derive from recent interspecific hybrids obtained by crossing Saccharum officinarum and Saccharum spontaneum and represent relevant feedstock used worldwide for biofuel production. The challenge in a sugarcane sequencing project is the size (10 Gb) and complexity of its genome structure that is highly polyploid and aneuploid with a complete set of homo(eo)logous genes predicted to range from 8 to 10 copies (alleles). Although sugarcane’s monoploid genome is about 1 Gb, its highly polymorphic nature represent another significant challenge for obtaining a genuine assembled monoploid genome. A sugarcane R570 BAC library whose construction was funded by ICSB is available for sequencing. The genome coverage of this library is believed to be around 1,3x suggesting that recovery of all alleles would not be always efficient. In any case, BAC screening can be undertaken using a fast and efficient 3D-pool approach which has been developed at CNRGV followed by PCR amplification of genes of interest. The Sugarcane Genome Sequencing Initiative – A particularly attractive initial strategy that lies at the intersection of the common interests of virtually all of the sugarcane research community is to capture much of the gene-rich recombinationally-active euchromatin. The Sugarcane Genome Sequencing Initiative (SUGESI) was envisaged to join efforts to produce a reference sequence of a sugarcane cultivar ( Saccharum hybrid) and ancestor genotypes ( Saccharum officinarum and Saccharum spontaneum) using a combination of approaches but mainly focused on BAC sequencing. The SUGESI Consortium aggregates researchers from Australia, Brazil, France, South Africa and United States. The SUGESI Initiative intends to make sequences public as soon as minimum assemblies permit. List of participant:
Dr Marie-Anne Van Sluys, Professor of Botany GaTE Lab (Genomics and Transposable elements)
Dr Glaucia Souza
Dr Angélique D'Hont
Dr Andrew Paterson
Dr Ray Ming
Dr Robert Henry
Dr Helene BERGES
Dr Rosanne Casu
Dr Bernard Potier
Creation date: 17 June 2010
Update: 14 December 2012 |
