How long have you collaborated with the JGI?
It’s probably been about ten years. We’ve been doing these high molecular weight DNA for a few projects and now through the ETOP program, we’re providing high molecular weight substrates for whole genome sequencing and for genotyping of various JGI Flagship Plant Genomes, and in support of the Community Science Program.
Why is this research important to advancing science and for the public good?
Many labs in the world can isolate DNA but it’s not the quality that’s required to generate very high-quality genomes. Every species needs as high a quality genome as possible, which is virtually gap-free. And we’re doing this by doing long read sequencing and to do that you need high molecular weight DNA.
What do you value about JGI’s contributions?
JGI is a really fantastic place for doing research. Essentially, a scientist can come up with an idea that falls within the research scope of JGI, and if it’s selected, then all the resources that JGI has can be put to this particular genome project. It means the scientist doesn’t have to develop their own genome center, they don’t have to buy all this expensive equipment. The user facility gives you a fantastic genome, they’ve annotated it, and then you can go back and ask all the questions you want to ask.
Watch Rod Wing’s talk from the 2009 DOE JGI Genomics of Energy & Environment Meeting
Relevant Links:
- DOE JGI Plant Flagship Genomes
- 2013 Emerging Technologies Opportunity Program
- 2012 Community Science Program: “Empowering functional plant genomics with genomes and transcriptomes of the top 20 Brassicales”
- 2008 DOE JGI News Release: “DOE JGI Releases Soybean Genome Assembly”
- Schmutz J et al. Genome sequence of the palaeopolyploid soybean. Nature. 2010 Jan 14;463(7278):178-83. doi: 10.1038/nature08670.
- 2007 Community Science Program: “Why sequence Thellungiella halophila?”