Genome Map for Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) using the BioNano Genomics Irys System

Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) has the largest geographic distribution of any North American tree and has tremendous ecological, economic, and aesthetic value. Aspen is associated with high levels of plant and wildlife biodiversity, responsible for carbon sequestration, an important source of fiber and pulp, and a source of wildlife and livestock forage.

A de novo whole genome map of aspen was created using the high-throughput whole-genome mapping technique with nanochannel arrays in the BioNano Genomics Irys system. Data generated 493,337 DNA molecules covering more than 173X of the aspen genome. The genome map was compared to the sequenced Populus trichocarpa genome.

This is the first whole-genome map for aspen and will be instrumental in assembling the aspen genome. These molecular tools will have great implications for aspen ecology, restoration, and understanding how genomes of highly clonal and polyploid plant species evolve. Further, this is the first report of a genome map for a tree species using the BioNano Genomics Irys system. This work demonstrates a promising application of the whole-genome map construction for non-model organisms in a fast and reliable manner.