Muchero, W. et al, 2014. Challenges and Opportunities for the World’s Forests in the 21st Century

Genome resequencing in Populus. Revealing large-scale genome variation and implications on specialized-trait genomes.

Wellington Muchero, Jessy Labbé, Priya Ranjan, Stephan DiFazio, and Gerald A. Tuskan
12 October 2013.  Challenges and Opportunities for the World’s Forests in the 21st Century. Series: Forestry Sciences, Vol. 81; pp. 587-595; doi: 10.1007/978-94-007-7076-8_25

Abstract

Abstract To date, Populus ranks among a few plant species with complete genome sequences and other highly developed genomic resources. With the first reference genome among all tree species, Populus has been adopted as a suitable model organism for genomic studies in trees. However, far from being just a model species, Populus is a key renewable resource that plays a significant role in providing raw materials for the biofuel and pulp and paper industries. Therefore, aside from leading frontiers of basic tree molecular biology and ecological research, Populus leads frontiers in addressing global economic challenges related to fuel and fiber production. The latter fact suggests that research aimed at improving quality and quantity of Populus as a raw material will likely drive the pursuit of more targeted and deeper research in order to unlock the economic potential tied in biological processes that drive this tree species. Advances in genome sequence-driven technologies, such as resequencing individual genotypes, which in turn facilitates large scale SNP discovery and identification of large scale polymorphisms are key
determinants of future success in these initiatives. In this treatise we discuss implications of genome sequence-enable technologies on Populus genomic and genetic studies of complex and specialized traits.

Citation

Muchero W., Labbé J., Ranjan P. DiFazio S., Tuskan G.A. (2014) Genome Resequencing in Populus: Revealing Large-Scale Genome Variation and Implications on Specialized-Trait Genomics.  IN: Fenning T. (es) Challenges and Opportunities for the World’s Forests in the 21st Centruy.  Forestry Sciences, vol 81.  Springer, Dordrecht.