The genomes of several brown rot and white rot fungi that either have been or are in the process of being sequenced by the DOE JGI for their relevance to bioenergy and carbon cycling serve as the basis for improving the comparative transcriptomics pipeline by which gene expressions and gene functions of these fungi are…
Why sequence plant root-associated fungi?
Building on previous work conducted on the Laccaria bicolor genome and those of other symbiotic fungi, this project will sequence a phylogenetically and ecologically diverse suite of mycorrhizal (plant root-associated) fungi, which include the major clades of symbiotic species associating with trees and woody shrubs. Analyses of these genomes will provide insight into the diversity…
Why sequence yeasts with biotechnology applications?
Most yeast sequencing projects focus on the group that includes the yeast used for making beer and bread (S. cereviseae). In this project researchers focus on a different group of understudied yeasts that are known to either degrade and ferment complex substrates, or are extremophiles that tolerate harsh environments. The genomic information could lead to…
Why sequence a suite of fungal decayers?
This project entails whole-genome sequencing of a suite of 30 saprotrophic (decayer) Basidiomycota fungi. The organisms targeted are particularly relevant to the “Biorefinery” portfolio being established by DOE JGI under the auspices of the “Genomic Encyclopedia of Fungi.” The chosen taxa represent fourteen of the approximately eighteen major clades (orders and subclasses) of Agaricomycotina, including…
Why sequence a family of fungal pathogens and extremophiles?
The project involves sequencing and analysis of 14 species in the Dothideomycetes, the largest and most diverse class of fungi, for two reasons. The first group of fungi are pathogens of potential biofuel crops and tolerant a wide range of environments. The second set of fungi are will be used to improve the basis for…
Why sequence Comparative analysis of Aspergilli species?
Aspergillus is not only one of the most important fungi for use in biotechnology it is also one of the most commonly found groups of fungi worldwide. This project seeks to sequence and annotate a series of additional Aspergillus species and Penicillium roqueforti to complement and strengthen the genomic data currently available for comparative studies….
Why sequence inbred Brachypodium lines?
The genome of the wild grass Brachypodium distachyon was published earlier this year in the journal Nature to help researchers develop grasses tailored to serve as feedstocks for biofuel production. Led by John Vogel of the US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, the project continues the stated objective and involves sequencing 50 inbred lines…
Why sequence barley?
The single largest project to date, with an anticipated five-gigabase genome, barley ranks fifth in the world among all crops cultivated, and is grown on four million acres in the United States alone. The crop can be used to produce ethanol from the grain or for cellulosic ethanol from the straw. The team intends to…
Why sequence arctic algae for alternative energy?
Five different protists representing different algal classes isolated from the Arctic Ocean are being investigated for adaptation to perennial cold conditions and for identification of genes linked to mixotrophy—how certain microorganisms can assimilate organic compounds as carbon sources and to characterize the horizontal gene transfer events over evolutionary time of donor algal genes to the…
Why Sequence Algae from Acidic Waters?
Strains of green algae from isolated acidic waters are being sequenced to understand how they adapt to variable levels of carbon dioxide, as well as to get a better sense of their role in the carbon cycle, and specifically how they can fix carbon under these conditions under these conditions. Principal Investigators: Cheryl Kerfeld, DOE…