花性别决定机制是被子植物繁殖系统演化研究的关键问题，也是影响种子产量的重要因素。本课题基于雌雄异花同株（monoecy）、雄花两性花同株（andromonoecy）和纯雌株（gynoecy）三种生态型小桐子，对花性别分化过程中染色体构象特征及其调控作用进行解析。应用第三代高通量测序与全基因组染色体构象捕获（Hi-C）技术相结合的方法，对雌雄异花同株（已完成组装），雄花两性花同株和纯雌株生态型小桐子基因组进行测序和组装。基于上述三个生态型小桐子的高质量基因组，本项目首次对不同花性别分化形态的多年生木本植物染色体空间构象、基因组变异，以及转录组表达模式进行解析。应用生物信息学方法，整合染色体构象、基因组变异和转录组数据，筛选和鉴定参与花性别分化过程的候选基因及DNA调控元件，进行功能验证，初步揭示染色体三维构象在小桐子花性别分化进程中的调控作用，也为深入解析高等植物的性别决定机制奠定基础。

Sex determination is a key problem during angiosperm evolution and also an important factor that affects seed yield in agricultural production. In this study, we detect chromosome architecture features of three phenotypic Jatropha: monoecy, andromonoecy and gynoecy, to investigate their functionaries in sex differentiation of Jatropha. We assemble two chromosome-level genomes of andromonoecy and gynoecy plants using PacBio single molecule, real-time (SMRT) sequencing combined with Hi-C approach. Based on the three high-quality assemblies of andromonoecy, gynoecy and monoecy whose assembly has been achieved, we firstly detect chromosome architectures, genomic variations and transcriptome expression patterns during the process of sex differentiation in perennial woody plant. An integrated analysis of chromosome architecture，genomic variation, and transcriptome data is performed to identify candidate genes and DNA regulatory elements that may participate in sex differentiation and validate their functions in Jatropha. This study will reveal the functionary of chromosome architecture in sex differentiation in Jatropha, and provide a foundation to uncover the evolutionary mechanism of sex determination in higher flowering plants.