Biotech Updates

China Completes Draft Sequence of Cassava Genome

January 22, 2010

"A research team from the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) has completed the deep genome sequencing of 3 cassava varieties in just one year and obtained more complete genome draft through several ultra-high-throughput sequencing technology," said Pengming, director of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology Institute of CATAS, during the 1st China National Agriculture Innovation Forum held in Hainan, China.

Cassava, known as "King of starch", is one of the three major tuber crops, the world's sixth largest food crop and the main food for 600 million people in the world. The research team completes the deep genome sequencing of three cassava varieties of Ku50 (high-starch), W14 (wild ancestral species) and CAS36 (sugar cassava). They also completed the assembly of the complete genome data through Solexa, 454, and BAC Blending Strategy.

The United States has completed the draft sequence of one cassava variety. With China's contribution, these achievements will clarify the basic features of the cassava genome and provide an essential tool for the global adoption of new technologies to carry out basic and applied research in cassava. This will also lay the foundation for further research on the molecular regulatory mechanisms of high efficiency conversion of solar energy to starch accumulation and drought-resistance, as well as the ability of enduring leanness of cassava. Completion of the cassava whole-genome sequencing project has important scientific significance on global food security and bio-energy development.

View the press release at http://xw.catas.cn/xw/2009V_ReadNews.asp?NewsID=10344&ClassID=4