Cambridge, MA and Corvallis, OR, November 15, 2011 – BGI, the world's largest genomics organization, announced today that it has entered an agreement with Oregon State University to conduct collaborative de novo genome sequencing and transcriptome analysis of nine Phytophthora plant pathogens. This agreement kicks off a larger collaborative project between BGI and the Phytophthora Genus Sequencing Consortium, to conduct collaborative de novo genome sequencing and transcriptome analysis of all known species of the Phytophthora genus of destructive plant pathogens. All in all, 150 genomes, together with 300 transcriptomes, will eventually be sequenced under this agreement. The consortium agreement was initiated by Oregon State's incoming Director of the Center for Genome Research and Biocomputing, Brett Tyler, with the support of an Advisory Board of twelve Phytophthora experts from around the world.
Phytophthora is a genus of plant-damaging pathogens whose member species are capable of causing enormous economic losses to crops, forests and ornamental plantings worldwide, as well as environmental damage in natural ecosystems. The genus is responsible for the Irish potato famine. Approximately 120 species have been described so far, although many more undiscovered Phytophthora species are estimated to exist. In general, plant diseases caused by this genus are difficult to control chemically, and thus the growth of resistant cultivars is the main management strategy. Phytophthora pathogens cause tens of billions of US dollars of destruction each year.
Under the collaboration agreement, Oregon State researchers will provide BGI with the genomic DNA and RNA samples for analysis by next-generation sequencing technologies. The sequencing work will include sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, including de novo assembly, gene calling and functional annotation of called genes.
"We are excited to have joined forces with BGI to initiate the formation of the Phytophthora Genus Sequencing Consortium," stated Brett Tyler, who will join Oregon State from Virginia Tech's Virginia Bioinformatics Institute in December 2011. "Given BGI's expertise in genomic sequencing, transcriptomics and bioinformatics, and its extensive experience researching numerous key plant genomes, we expect our relationship to lead to significant research findings that should help protect a variety of plant species, especially agricultural crops, from the damaging effects of Phytophthora pathogens."
Dr Michael Coffey, a board member and curator of the Worldwide Phytophthora Collection (WPC) at the University of California, Riverside, commented, "I am pleased to contribute the resources of the WPC to this exciting effort. The WPC houses validated isolates of all known Phytophthora species." Professor Yuanchao Wang of Nanjing Agricultural University, a board member and consortium member stated, "This is a truly international effort that already involves researchers from the U.S., China, Canada, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia and Sweden."
"We look forward to working with Oregon State and other Consortium members to undertake this important research," added Professor Huanming Yang, Chairman of BGI. "Sequencing, transcriptomic and bioinformatics analysis contributed by BGI to the Consortium will yield findings and data that will be shared by all Consortium members, including Oregon State and other institutions. We believe that by "dividing and conquering," all Consortium participants will derive enormous benefit with greater efficiency and reduced cost."
About The Phytophthora Genus Sequencing Consortium
The Phytophthora Genus Sequencing Consortium consists of multiple academic, government and other non-profit research institutions, each represented by one or more Principal Investigators, who have formed a consortium for the purpose of determining the genome sequences and transcriptomic profiles of all known species of the genus Phytophthora, as far as such species can be reasonably determined. Currently it is estimated that 150 genomes with corresponding transcriptomes will be sequenced, including at least one from each known species which has not yet been sequenced, including new species that will be discovered during the duration of the project, and including selected species closely related to but outside the genus Phytophthora. The Advisory Board of the consortium consists of Nik Grunwald (USDA-ARS, Corvallis, USA), Everett Hansen (Oregon State University, USA), Richard Hamelin (University of British Columbia, Canada), Michael Coffey (University of California, Riverside, USA) , Seogchan Kang (Pennsylvania State University, USA), David Cooke (James Hutton Institute, United Kingdom), Francine Govers (Wageningen University, Netherlands) Jean Ristaino (North Carolina State University, USA), Yuanchao Wang (Nanjing Agricultural University, China). Frank Martin (USDA-ARS, Salinas, USA), Mark Guiltinan (Pennsylvania State University, USA) Clive Brasier (Forest Research Agency, United Kingdom).
About BGI
BGI, founded in Beijing, China in 1999, is the world's largest genomics institute. The goal of BGI is to make leading-edge genomic science highly accessible through its investment in infrastructure that leverages the best available technology, economies of scale, and expert bioinformatics resources. BGI, and its affiliates, BGI Americas, headquartered in Cambridge, MA, and BGI Europe, headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, have established partnerships and collaborations with leading academic and government research institutions as well as global biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, supporting a variety of disease, agricultural, environmental, and related applications.
BGI has established a proven track record of excellence, delivering results with high efficiency and accuracy for innovative, high-profile research which has generated over 170 publications in top-tier journals such as Nature and Science. These accomplishments include sequencing one percent of the human genome for the International Human Genome Project, contributing 10 percent to the International Human HapMap Project, carrying out research to combat SARS and German deadly E. coli, playing a key role in the Sino-British Chicken Genome Project, and completing the sequence of the rice genome, the silkworm genome, the first Asian diploid genome, the potato genome, and, most recently, 1000 genomes and human Gut metagenome.
For more information about BGI, please visit www.bgiamericas.com or www.genomics.cn
Contact Information:
Dr. Brett Tyler
Director-designate
Center for Genome Research and Biocomputing
Oregon State University
540-357-3695
bretttyler@earthlink.net
www.cgrb.oregonstate.edu
Dr. Joyce Peng
Marketing Director
BGI Americas Corporation
626-222-5584
joyce.peng@bgiamericas.com
www.bgiamericas.com
Dr. Bicheng Yang
Public Communication Officer
BGI
+86-755-82639701
yangbicheng@genomics.cn
www.genomics.cn