Improving Genome Assemblies and Trait Association using Illumina Skim Genotyping by Sequencing

The genome sequence of an organism provides the basis for gene discovery, the analysis of genetic variation and the association of genomic variation with heritable traits. Genome sequence variation can vary from single nucleotide polymorphisms to presence/absence of large regions or rearrangements. Second generation sequencing technologies and applied bioinformatics tools can provide an unprecedented insight into genome structure and variation.

The sequencing and re-sequencing of different Brassica varieties has identified genome wide variation. Bioinformatics tools have been produced and applied to interrogate and annotate this abundant data. By applying Illumina skim sequencing across populations, we have established methods to validate and correct genome assemblies at high resolution, characterise genome structural variation between individuals and fine map genes for important agronomic traits.