Current Genome Assemblies | Institute for Systems Genomics

Student-Led Assemblies

2023-2024:

Juglans ailantifolia (Japanese walnut)

Juglans ailantifolia, commonly referred to as Japanese walnut or Japanese heartnut, belongs to the walnut family and is native to Japan, Korea, and China. It is recognized for its unique heart-shaped nuts and ornamental value. Unlike its North American cousin, Juglans cinerea, which faces endangerment due to the devastating effects of the invasive fungus Sirococcus clavigignenti-juglandacearum (SCJ) causing butternut canker, Juglans ailantifolia has been found to exhibit some resistance to this destructive pathogen.

Sequencing Method: Oxford Nanopore
Genome Size (Mb): 526
Number of Chromosomes: 16

Fraxinus profunda (pumpkin ash)

Pumpkin Ash (Fraxinus profunda) is listed as a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), threatened mainly by the Emerald Ash Borer pest spreading rapidly throughout North America. Sequencing of DNA and high quality genome assembly can provide useful information that can improve conservation efforts and support breeding programs. Due to varying resistance to emerald ash borer across ash species, assembling and annotation of a reference genome for each species can help conservation efforts to answer a range of questions and provide genetic information about the species, disease risk, or evolution.

Sequencing Method: Oxford Nanopore
Genome Size (Mb): TBD
Number of Chromosomes: 23

2022-2023:

Juglans cinerea (butternut)

Juglans cinerea, commonly known as butternut or white walnut, is a member of the walnut family, native to Eastern United States and Southeastern Canada. The species is currently listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List due to an invasive fungus known as Sirococcus clavigignenti-juglandacearum (SCJ) that causes butternut canker. SCJ creates visible sores on the trunks of the tree which essentially starves and slowly kills the tree. Natural resistance to this pathogen is thought to be rare and resistance has only been confirmed in hybrids with Juglans ailantifolia. The conservation of butternut is of utmost priority due to its critical ecosystem role and cultural significance.

Publication: https://doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkad189

Sequencing Method: Oxford Nanopore
Genome Size (Mb): 570
Number of Chromosomes: 16