Development of Molecular Markers using Next-Generation Sequencing
Background : The advancement of next-generation sequencing technology dramatically reduces the cost for sequencing and it contributes to create a new research environment that utilizes large amount of genome sequences to answer many biological questions. With this new research trend, reference genome sequences of several major crops have been released to the research community and utilized in various researches in agriculture. Coupled with molecular breeding technology, NGS based genome research will possibly allow selecting a new plant material possessing useful traits in early stage and efficiently developing a superior cultivar. Methods and Results : The objectives of this research are to collecting various genetic variations (SNPs, indels and TE mediated variations) in major and minor crops, to develop molecular markers using NGS based genomic data (resequencing, GBS, transcriptome), and to develop a visualization tools to enhance the utility of the NGS data. Currently major analysis pipelines have been developed to detect SNPs, indel and polymophic SSRs using whole genome and transcriptome data, and a pipeline for identification of MITE insertion polymorphism is under development. In addition to that, for orphan crop, we also implemented an efficient and robust method to assemble a complete chloroplast, mitochondria and 45S rDNA using low coverage whole genome data in order to develop an inter- and intra-specific molecular barcode markers. Conclusion : NGS provide a new level of researches in many crop plants. Large amount of genomic information provides an opportunity to understand domestication and genetic variations, and to develop a better crop for future.