Sequencing and Analysis of the Switchgrass Reference Genome and the Diversity of Switchgrass Wild Accessions

The Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, in collaboration with groups at the BioEnergy Research Centers, has been developing a genomic reference sequence for Panicum virgatum (switchgrass) genotype Alamo clone AP13. The switchgrass genome is a recent polyploid and an obligate outcrosser, which has greatly increased the difficulty of achieving a unified and compete genome sequence.

We have continued to improve the initial whole genome shotgun sequence attempts through new assembly methodologies, targeted clone based sequencing, the additional of new genetic maps, and improved transcriptomics for annotation to reach our current version 4 assembly. Here, we will report on the latest version of the assembly and annotation along with ongoing analysis towards a switchgrass publication. We will present historical analysis of the switchgrass polyploidy event and the resulting effect on gene retention and a population analysis based on deep resequencing across the native collected switchgrass accessions.