PROGRESS IN SEQUENCING OF THE COMPLETE HAPLOTYPE-RESOLVED DIPLOID GENOMES OF PLANTS

Abstract

Now most of the genomes of higher organisms are assembled for haploid set of chromosomes, in which DNA fragments from paired chromosomes from different parents alternate in the mosaic order. In this regard, such assemblies are more logical to consider as quasi-genomes, since they do not provide accurate information about the relationship between genotype and phenotype. A new level of genome assembly is haplotype-resolved diploid genomes of higher organisms, including plants and their polyploid forms that have undergone cytological and functional diploidization. Given the importance of such genome assemblies, a large number of corresponding computer programs have been developed that allow phased genome assembly and analysis. To date, haplotype-resolved diploid genomes have been assembled for more than 60 species of plants. Among them are various agricultural plants, ornamental plants, fruit trees and shrubs, forest trees, medicinal plants and others. For the most part, they are represented by diploid plants, but there are also triploids, auto- and allo-tetraploids, hexaploids and even octaploids. The sizes of the assembled genomes also vary greatly - from 135 million bp to 21.6 billion bp. In many articles it is note that phased genome assembly helped to more accurately determine individual important characteristics of the studied plants, including origin, evolution, domestication, yield, resistance to diseases and pests, as well as better understanding of metabolic pathways and mechanisms of heterosis.