Exploring Metazoan Evolution with Genome Maps

Irys genome mapping platform developed by BioNano Genomics, Inc. is a game-changing technology to create genome map and strong reinforcement to high throughput sequencing which leads to a newer dimension of genome biology. With its advantages in long DNA molecule analyses, ranging from 100 kb to mega-bases, applying the Irys genome mapping to de novo assembly will significantly improve contiguity of the draft genome, while making it possible to detect large-scale structural variations in genomes.

We have first applied this technology to a draft genome assembly of the sea squirt (urochordate) Ciona intestinalis. Using the Irys genome mapping in combination with short and synthetic long read sequencing technologies, the Ciona genome (ca. 160 Mb) was reconstructed in 466 scaffold with N50 scaffold size 949.9 kb, which proved the high potential and affinity to the sequencing technologies of the Irys system.

Based on the success in Ciona genome, now we are incorporating this technology to our genome analysis work flow for two major genome analysis projects: comparative genomics of hemichordates, cepharochordates and urochordates to reveal the origin and evolution of chordates[1] and metazoan genome decodings to resolve their phylogenetic relationship, partly as a contribution to Global Invertebrate Genomics Alliance[2].

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[1] Satoh N, Rokhsar D, Nishikawa T., Proc. R. Soc. B 281: 20141729 (2014)

[2] GIGA Community of Scientists, J. Hered. 105 (1): 1-18 (2014)

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