New Reference Genome of Arabica Depicts Its History and Future

Researchers produced a high-quality reference genome of Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica), which reveals its origin story and future under climate change.

Arabica is the most well-known coffee species in the world. By studying its origin and breeding history, new Arabica cultivars may be developed that will be more adapted to climate change.

Researchers from various institutions used DNA sequencing technology and data science to sequence an 18th-century specimen and 39 Arabica varieties. The researchers discovered that Coffea Arabica was developed over 600,000 years ago through natural mating of two coffee species. "We used state-of-the-art genomics approaches to create the most advanced complete, and continuous Arabica reference genome to date," said Patrick Descombes, one of the study's co-leaders. The reference genome is now publicly available online.

Read the article on Nature Genetics for more information.