Sequencing the Eucalyptus

The US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute (DOE JGI) has announced its latest community sequencing programs.

The programs have implications for finding alternatives to fossil fuels and the largest sequencing project, with a 600-million-nucleotide genome, is the Eucalyptus.

Led by Alexander Myburg from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, the project is geared towards the generation of resources for renewable energy.

"A major challenge for the achievement of a sustainable energy future is our understanding of the molecular basis of superior growth and adaptation in woody plants suitable for biomass production," said Myburg.

Eucalyptus species are among the fastest growing woody plants in the world and have been recognised as candidates for biomass energy crops.

"The unique evolutionary history, keystone ecological status and adaptation to marginal sites make eucalyptus an excellent focus for expanding our knowledge of the evolution and adaptive biology of perennial plants," said Myburg.

Sequencing the Eucalyptus genome will also allow comparative analysis with the poplar tree, which was sequenced in 2006.

Other sequencing programs include the marine red alga Porphyra purpurea and the foxtail millet Setaria italica.