Brachypodium distachyon: A Sequence-Driven Model for the Grasses

Brachypodium distachyon is one of the first model organisms to follow a new paradigm where genome sequencing precedes or occurs concurrently with the development of a full suite of experimental tools and a significant research community. The initiation of the B. distachyon draft genome sequence project at JGI in 2006 attracted many researchers to this new model system and the release of a high-quality draft genome in 2010 helped firmly established B. distachyon as a truly tractable model for the grasses. The B. distachyon genome sequence enabled numerous projects and the development of new experimental resources including a large sequence-indexed T-DNA collection, microarrays, gene silencing by artificial microRNAs, etc. Current B. distachyon sequencing projects at JGI include sequencing 54 natural accessions, a gene atlas project and improving the reference genome (finish sequencing). In addition, two related species, B. stacei and B. hybridum, are being sequenced to create a tractable model to study polyploidy. An overview of the impact of the JGI on the development and use of B. distachyon and related species as a model for the grasses will be presented.