Researchers at the Danforth Center, the JGI and the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology released a very high-quality reference green millet genome sequence and identified a gene related to seed dispersal in wild populations.

The genome assemblies of high-quality reference sequences for the male and female fire moss plants (Ceratodon purpureus) are a testament to the multiple advances in sequencing technologies applied to the effort.

Combing through the genomes of four anaerobic fungal species has revealed, for the first time, that this group is unexpectedly powerful: they can whip up dozens of complex natural products, including new ones.

By analyzing the enzymes present in the complex organic matrix of the forest floor, researchers found that fungi are more active in degrading plant matter, and bacteria are more active in fixing and metabolizing nitrogen.

Taking advantage of the rapid development of binning methods, and with much more extensive taxonomic and genetic sampling, researchers confirmed the affinity between Olpidium and the non-flagellated terrestrial fungi. 

In the ocean’s North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, microbes tend to stay localized at different depths. Scientists looked into how the bacterium SAR324 can be found throughout the water column.

PhycoCosm’s interactive browser allows researchers to look deep into more than 100 algal genomes. The genome portal reinforces the JGI’s new strategic focus on exploring algal biology, diversity, and ecology.

An international research team reported warm-adapted microbes edging polewards and may be displacing resident tiny algae much more easily than previously suspected. The trend could destabilize the delicate marine food web.

JGI, LANL and NREL researchers combined expertise to screen, characterize, sequence and then analyze the genomes and multi-omics datasets for algae that can be used for large-scale production of biofuels and bioproducts.

Gene expression in eukaryotes was long held to be monocistronic; a single gene makes messenger RNA, which encodes a single protein. Researchers have found numerous examples of polycistronic expression in green algae.

A command-line tool called CheckV can be broadly utilized to gauge virus data quality. It helps researchers to follow best practices and guidelines for providing the minimum amount of information for an uncultivated virus genome.

Researchers discovered that “diversity generating retroelements” (DGRs) in viruses are not only widespread, but also surprisingly active. They appear to generate diversity quickly, allowing these viruses to target new microbial prey.

Altiarchaea counter multiple attempts at virus infections because their genomes include sequences that code for CRISPR systems. These help bacteria resist foreign genetic elements by incorporating fragments from infecting viruses and phages.

The JGI has demonstrated CRAGE as a versatile engineering system that allows scientists to conduct genome-wide screens and explore biosynthetic pathways. Now CRAGE is being applied to other synthetic biology problems.

A special issue of the journal Synthetic Biology puts the spotlight on JGI’s DNA design and synthesis superpower. In a series of case studies, scientific users share what they’ve discovered through their collaborations.

In work enabled by the JGI’s Emerging Technologies Opportunity Program (ETOP), The University of Texas at Austin and Northwestern University researchers show yeast metabolic pathways work outside the cell environment.

Cumulative Number of Projects Completed

Cumulative Number of Scientific Publications