Chinese Scientists Complete Genome Framework Map of Common Wild Rice

After the high coverage sequencing, splicing and assembly of common wild rice genome, the genome framework map was completed by a research team led by Prof. Gao Lizhi at the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). This is the first wild rice genome sequencing project completed by Chinese scientists and is also the first wild rice genome framework map with high heterozygosity in the world. It was shown that common wild rice genome had nearly 370 million base pairs and contained about 40,000 genes. The sequencing depth was 70 times of the genome size and 92% of the wild rice genome had been covered, as well as more than 90% of the genes. At present, the research team is stepping up the detailed genome map of common wild rice.

Following the indica (9311) genome framework map completed by Chinese scientists, the common wild rice genome framework map and further sequencing of the detailed genome map will promote the large-scale analysis and identification of important functional rice genes to provide unprecedented opportunities for high-throughput mining and utilizing of excellent wild rice genetic resources. It will also boost the improvement of rice varieties and germplasm and make it possible for an in-depth understanding of the origin and acclimation mechanisms of cultivated rice in Asia.

Read the original article at http://www.kib.ac.cn/jgsz/kyxt/xnsw/zxdt/201008/t20100823_2930825.html