JGI’s 25th Anniversary

The year 2022 marks the JGI’s 25th anniversary. We revisited a number of notable achievements that showcase our collaborations and capabilities to enable great science that will help solve energy and environmental challenges.

Nigel Sussman smiles as he stands in front of the JGI 25th anniversary mural at the IGB

Behind the JGI Mural

Berkeley-based muralist Nigel Sussman on creating the JGI’s 25th anniversary mural.

Nigel Sussman painting the JGI mural in timelapse footage

Timelapse: Painting the Mural

Footage of Nigel Sussman painting the JGI mural at the Integrative Genomics Building.

Notable stories from the past 25 years

	The Human Genome Project, or the JGI’s Origin Story In 1997, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) united the people and resources from three national labs to work on the Human Genome Project. The JGI contributed ~12% of the total human genome.		Historical perspectives on JGI’s 25 years At the 2022 JGI Annual Meeting, speakers shed light on how the JGI was established, all that it has contributed, and what they’re excited about in the JGI’s future.
	Poplar, The Bioenergy Tree In 2006, JGI collaborated on the first tree genome, Populus trichocarpa. The genome offers exciting opportunities beyond just a bioenergy feedstock crop.		Pioneering Metagenomics Research Paves Path for Nobel A conversation on extremophiles elements with a longtime JGI collaborator piqued the interest of Jennifer Doudna, leading to her 2020 Nobel Prize for co-developing CRISPR-Cas9 technology.
	Roots of a Mutualist Relationship The genome sequence of Laccaria bicolor, a forest fungus in symbiosis with poplar, was published in 2008. Today ~200 mycorrhizal fungal genomes are publicly available on the fungal portal MycoCosm.		A Single Cell, Myriad Microbial Discoveries Single cell genomics offers a way for researchers to study the planet’s microbial diversity, much of which remains unknown and uncultured.
	Studying Sorghum’s Survival Skills Since publishing the sorghum reference genome, the JGI continues collaborating to better understand its toughness and energy storage.		Solving the Mystery of the Missing Oil Working with Berkeley Lab researchers, the JGI’s single cell genomics and metagenomics capabilities were harnessed for a systems biology approach to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
	The Little Alga That Could The reference Chlamydomonas genome is cited in roughly 10% of all since-released publications on green algae.		Building a Better Bean The common bean genome has fueled further research into disease tolerance in crops, stressors and nitrogen fixation.
	Fueling Investigation into Methane-Making Microbes Supporting studies involving methane-making microbes in ruminants to drive solutions for stemming methane-emissions.		Strengthening Soybean Aside from supporting work on the soybean plant, the JGI has also helped researchers understand a fungus threatening these crops.
	Stories from Intern Alumni Former JGI interns share how these experiences have influenced their career journeys.		Cow Rumen and the Early Days of Metagenomics A 2011 Science paper has led to a hands-on undergraduate research course at four universities.
	Following Fungi that Pry Apart Plant Polymers Gut fungi from livestock may be able to provide tools beyond biomass breakdown, extending into biochemical production.		Mapping Switchgrass Traits with Common Gardens Long-term research investments in switchgrass genomics are helping the grasses become a key player in biomass-based fuels.
	Team Science to Build Communities around Data Researchers are forming communities to generate high quality genomes with the JGI.		Expanding Metagenomics to Capture Viral Diversity The JGI has leveraged their work as metagenomics pioneers to boost understanding of environmental viruses.