On the need to study genetic traits influencing the organization and structure of the genome in plant sequencing projects

Authors

  • Jaume Pellicer Institut Botànic de Barcelona (IBB), CSIC - Ajuntament de Barcelona
  • Oriane Hidalgo Institut Botànic de Barcelona (IBB), CSIC - Ajuntament de Barcelona
  • Joan Vallès Laboratori de Botànica, Unitat Associada al CSIC, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Institut de la Biodiversitat IRBio, Universitat de Barcelona
  • Teresa Garnatje Institut Botànic de Barcelona (IBB), CSIC - Ajuntament de Barcelona

Keywords:

chromosome, evolution, genome size, polyploidy, sequencing.

Abstract

Understanding the mechanisms responsible for maintaining biodiversity requires, among other things, initiatives that facilitate in-depth genomic surveillance across eukaryote organisms. These initiatives support critical research programs for gaining robust insights into how genomes are structured and operate. In relation to land plants, there is also a clear need to continue generating fundamental data regarding both nuclear DNA contents and chromosome numbers. As a result of their great diversity, these traits are unquestionably important drivers of plant evolution. In addition, they provide basic yet essential information for the planning of a genome assembly. These challenges, however, need the support of globally coordinated research strategies such as the Earth BioGenome Project (EBP) and its regional subsidiaries, which facilitate access to technology, information exchange and the development of training plans. Prioritizing comparative studies across species with a balanced and inclusive taxonomic sampling that covers the geographical diversity of plants as well as their genomic, morphological and ecological features will consequently be one of our major challenges in the years to come.

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