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Why Sequence Guillardia theta and Bigelowiella natans?

The process of endosymbiosis, where one organism lives inside another, has been a monumental force in the origin and diversification of eukaryotic life. The primary endosymbiotic origin of plastids (chloroplasts) occurred more than a billion years ago and spawned three lineages–the green algae (and their land plant relatives), red algae, and glaucophytes–whose energy-generating capabilities paved… [Read More]

Why Sequence Fragilariopsis cylindrus?

Diatoms are microscopic unicellular algae distributed throughout the world’s marine and freshwater ecosystems, including ice systems. Numerous estimates suggest that, as a group, these organisms are responsible for as much as 20% of global photosynthesis, which is comparable to the amount of primary productivity generated by all the terrestrial rainforests combined. In polar regions, where… [Read More]

Why Sequence Reef-Building Corals and Dinoflagellate Symbionts?

Endosymbiosis, in which a microbial partner lives within the cells of a larger host organism, has played a crucial role in shaping life on Earth from the evolution of eukaryotic organelles (mitochondria and chloroplasts), to the formation and regulation of ecosystems. In tropical marine environments, perhaps the most significant symbiosis is that between calcifying corals… [Read More]

Why Sequence Chestnut Blight Fungus?

Cryphonectria parasitica, the chestnut blight fungus, is responsible for epidemics that caused the destruction of hundreds of millions of mature chestnut trees in forests of North America and Europe during the first part of the 20th century. The discovery of a group of RNA viruses, now classified in the family Hypoviridae (hypoviruses), that reduce the… [Read More]

Why Sequence Cassava?

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is an excellent energy source. Its roots contain 20-40% starch that costs 15-30% less to produce per hectare than starch from corn, making it an attractive and strategic source of renewable energy. Cassava grows in diverse environments, from very dry to extremely humid, from acidic to alkaline soils, from sea level to… [Read More]

Why Sequence Cotton?

The Gossypium (cotton) genus presents a novel opportunity to advance our understanding of the natural world and organic evolution, while nurturing bio-based carbon sequestration alternatives to petrochemical use and improving the sustainability of crop production. The genus has spawned one of the world’s most important crops (cotton), which sustains one of the world’s largest industries… [Read More]

Why Sequence Brachypodium?

The temperate wild grass species Brachypodium distachyon (Brachypodium) is a new model plant for temperate grasses and herbaceous energy crops. Temperate grass species such as wheat, barley, and forage grasses underpin our food supply. However, the size and complexity of their genomes is a major barrier to biotechnological improvement. Similarly, while herbaceous energy crops (especially… [Read More]

Why Sequence Aquilegia formosa?

A central goal of biology is to understand the natural genetic variation that is responsible for environmental adaptations, leading to species and higher-order taxa. In order to understand the key features of angiosperm (flowering plant) evolution, we need genomic resources for model organisms from lineages reaching far back toward the base of the evolutionary tree…. [Read More]

Why Sequence Zymomonas mobilis strains?

A primary goal for the U.S., the E.U., and other nations is to find cleaner, safer and renewable alternatives to fossil fuels, and to that end 4 billion gallons of corn-derived ethanol was used as fuel additive in 2006, in the U.S. alone. The bacterium Zymomonas mobilis is a highly potent ethanol producer already used… [Read More]

Why Sequence Variovorax paradoxus?

DOE-JGI will be sequencing two strains of the β-proteobacterium Variovorax paradoxus, which are distinct and especially relevant to DOE. Variovorax species are catabolically very diverse and engage in mutually beneficial interactions with other bacterial species in many biodegradations. For example, a soil methanotroph, only when co-cultured together with a V. paradoxus strain, exhibits high affinity… [Read More]