Plant & Animal Genomes XVI Conference

January 12-16, 2008
Town & Country Convention Center
San Diego, CA

High-Throughput Sample Sequencing In The Triticeae Gives Insight Into Genome Dynamics.

François Sabot¹ , Jaakko Tanskanen^1,2 , Alan H. Schulman^1,2

¹  MTT/Plant Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Biotechnology, Viikki Biocenter, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland

²  Plant Genomics, Food and Biotechnology, MTT Agrifood Research Finland, FIN-31600 Jokioinen, Finland

Plant genome sequencing has rapidly expanded our understanding of the genome structure, gene content, and transposable element complement of key model species. However, for practical reasons the species chosen have to date been limited to those with small genomes. Transposable elements are the most dynamic component of the genome, and contribute up 90 % of the total DNA of large plant genomes. The Class I retrotransposons in particular are major contributors to genome expansion. Extensive sequence data beyond the model species are needed to understand the role of transposable elements in the genome evolution. This is particularly the case for the Triticeae. The advent of high-throughput sequencing now makes it possible to acquire a snapshot of the genome. We have used a “454” pyrosequencer to address genome structure in barley, other Hordeum species, and other members of the Triticeae.