Improving the Sequence of the Maize Genome

玉米是一个重要的生物研究体系，有着悠久而丰富的历史。在过去的一个世纪里，围绕着广泛的遗传工具和多样的种质资源，一个活跃的研究团体已经成长起来。在这段时间里，玉米已经成为解决遗传学基本问题的主要系统，如驯化对基因组结构的影响，杂种优势的分子基础（杂交活力），以及转座子在基因组进化中的作用。对玉米的研究使我们对植物基本生命过程的理解取得了重大进展，如繁殖、种子形成、萌发、光合作用以及氨基酸、碳水化合物和脂肪酸等初级代谢物的生物合成。基因组测序是一个合乎逻辑的下一步，可以使玉米作为一种实验系统得到最佳利用，并将研究成果转化为改良作物。作为玉米基因组测序项目（NSF/DOE/USDA联合项目）的一部分，一份玉米基因组测序草图已经生成，并于2008年2月发布。该项目旨在提供额外的分析和注释信息，并为研究界提供一个连续的、带注释的玉米参考基因组序列。该项目的具体目标是：1)测序并完成500个fosmid克隆；2)使用454平台产生8倍（8倍）全基因组鸟枪序列；2)增加基因组组装、分析和注释的范围。当前版本的玉米基因组序列的早期影响是相当大的。该项目将为参考序列提供额外的信息和注释，使玉米能够继续作为一种实验系统，在公共和私营部门推进基础生物学以及开发玉米新品种和改良品种。项目信息和数据将通过华盛顿大学基因组测序中心的网站（http://www.genome.wustl.edu）提供。玉米序列汇编和玉米遗传资源将被纳入Gramene （http://www.gramene.org）和MaizeGDB （http://www.maizegdb.org）。

Maize is an important biological research system with a long and rich history. Over the past century, an active research community has grown up around the available extensive genetic tools and diverse germplasm. In this time, maize has become a leading system for addressing fundamental questions in genetics such as the impact of domestication on genome structure, the molecular basis of heterosis (hybrid vigor), and role of transposons in genome evolution. Research on maize has led to major advances in our understanding of fundamental life processes in plants such as reproduction, seed formation, germination, photosynthesis, and biosynthesis of primary metabolites including amino acids, carbohydrates and fatty acids. A genome sequence is a logical next step to enable the best use of maize as an experimental system and in order to translate research advances into improved crops. A draft sequence of the maize genome was generated, funded as part of the Maize Genome Sequencing Project: An NSF/DOE/USDA Joint Program, and released in February 2008. This project seeks to provide additional analysis and annotation information and provide the research community with a continuous, annotated reference genome sequence for maize. The specific aims of the project are to: 1) sequence and finish 500 fosmid clones; 2) produce an eight-fold (8X) whole genome shotgun sequence using a 454 platform; and 2) increase the scope of the genome assembly, analysis and annotation. The early impact of the current version of the maize genome sequence has been considerable. This project will provide the additional information and annotation to the reference sequence that will enable continued use of maize as an experimental system for advancing fundamental biology as well as the development of new and improved maize varieties in the public and private sector. Project information and data will be available through a web site accessible through the Washington University Genome Sequencing Center (http://www.genome.wustl.edu). Maize sequence assemblies and maize genetic resources will be incorporated into Gramene (http://www.gramene.org) and MaizeGDB (http://www.maizegdb.org).