Endangered Plant Species Becomes Model for Genome Sequencing

A group of researchers from the University of Queensland used the remaining 100 trees of Buburin Nut (Macadamia jansenii) as the perfect model for sequencing and assembling all future plant genomes to learn how rare plant species could survive extinction and its associated genetic bottleneck.

The researchers used long-read technologies, short-read technologies, and the combination of the two to analyze all the 14 assembled chromosomes to get the highest quality of genome sequences.

The study proved that using sophisticated technologies could provide a greater quality of data compared to other sequencing technologies that produce only a rough draft of sequences. The study could also provide continuous improvement with greater accuracy and reduced costs in future conservation efforts of other species facing extinction.

For more details, read the article in GigaScience.