Genome Sequencing Initiatives

Genome sequencing approaches are changing rapidly with advances in sequencing technology and bioinformatics. The sequencing of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana provided insights in to the Brassica genomes, but only now that the Brassica genomes are becoming available do we have a model to characterise genome variation in these species. We expect the A, C and B genome sequences to become publicly available over the next few years, and that they will provide models for the sequencing and resequencing of the important amphidiploid species. Knowledge of the genes and variation at the genome level will greatly assist breeding for improved Brassica oilseed crops.