Improving Genome Assemblies and Capturing Genome Variation Data for Applied Crop Improvement

Next generation DNA sequencing has revolutionised biology. However, the low cost and relative ease in generating draft genome assemblies has led to the production of many genome sequences of questionable quality or applicability. Methods are urgently required to validate and improve these draft assemblies. We have developed several approaches to assess the quality of draft genome assemblies and identify regions of misassembly to correct assemblies. These approaches can be applied to a broad range of genomes which have either been completed or are undergoing development.

While the production of draft genome assemblies is a valuable first step in understanding a species at the genome level, knowledge of genome variation between individuals allows the association of genome variation with important traits. We have developed several tools for the characterisation of genome variation at the single nucleotide, gene and chromosome level as well as systems for the management and interrogation of this variation data. The application of these systems can assist in the acceleration of genomics based crop improvement.