Genome annotations of two C. citriodora subspecies broaden understanding of the terpene synthase gene family across eucalypt lineages. The Science From the distinct smell of eucalyptus to the flavor of wine, terpenes are ubiquitous. A diverse group of plant-produced organic compounds, terpenes play key roles in plant growth, defense, and environmental interactions. Terpenes are also… [Read More]
Berkeley Lab User Facilities Prominent in SSURF Annual Meeting & Capitol Hill Office Visits. Like roads, water and energy systems, ports, and other critical infrastructure, scientific user facilities enable the innovation at the heart of U.S. economic competitiveness and national security. The Society for Science at User Research Facilities (SSURF) is a not-for-profit organization working… [Read More]
Newly developed chemiluminescent biosensors shed light on how bacteria function and colonize diverse environments. The Science Cyclic di-GMP (Guanine Monophosphate) is found in nearly all types of bacteria and interacts with cell signaling networks that control many basic cellular functions. It plays an important role in regulating microbial cellulose production and biofilm formation, which affects… [Read More]
Beam-Signing Ceremony Collects Signatures for Posterity. On Friday, June 22, JGI Director Nigel Mouncey and Systems Biology Knowledgebase (KBase) CEO/CSO Adam Arkin gathered JGI and KBase staff for a historic ceremony. “The last time we convened together was 18 months ago to break ground,” Mouncey reminded the audience, referring to the January 2017 groundbreaking ceremony… [Read More]
Large scale study identifies core microbial community for maize rhizosphere. A plant’s health is affected not only by conditions such as water and temperature, but by the microorganisms that live around its roots. The rhizosphere microbiome, as this microbial community is known, regulates nutrient availability to the plant from the soil, and can impact plant… [Read More]
Sphagnome data would enable researchers’ insights on their potential carbon cycling impact. The Science Enabled by the JGI’s Community Science Program (CSP), researchers are developing a number of resources to build up Sphagnum as a plant model system focused on carbon cycling studies, rather than for food or fuel applications. The Impact Sphagnum’s impact on… [Read More]
Developing and validating an integrated approach to genome recovery from metagenomes. The Science Through the JGI’s Emerging Technologies Opportunity Program (ETOP), researchers have developed and improved upon a tool that combines existing DNA sequence binning algorithms, allowing them to reconstruct more near-complete genomes from soil metagenomes compared to other methods. The Impact Understanding how individual… [Read More]
Novel archaeal lineage found in Yellowstone may have been important in early Earth conditions. The Science Through a combination of sequencing tools and techniques applied to samples collected from acidic iron-oxide microbial mats in Yellowstone National Park over time, researchers have discovered and characterized a novel phylum-level lineage of archaea with at least two major… [Read More]
The Joint Genome Institute (JGI) is hosting its 12th Annual Safety and Wellness (SWELL) Fair on Wednesday, May 30, and welcomes attendees from both staff and neighbors in the Shadelands. Click here to download a map. WHEN: Wednesday, May 30, 2018, from 12pm-2pm WHERE: Joint Genome Institute Courtyard (2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek) The free SWELL Fair (click… [Read More]
As the global population grows toward 10 billion people, we need to find ways to better manage the farmland that we have, while also removing CO2 from the atmosphere, said Evan DeLucia at JGI’s 13th Annual Genomics of Energy & Environment Meeting in San Francisco, Calif. As director of the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts… [Read More]