Consolidating and curating datasets for ash genomics
Project lead Dr Laura Kelly | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Lead organisation Forest Research
Collaborator University of Kentucky
Project status Pilot year project complete
Project funding £96,000
Research outcome Adaptation
Context
Research aims and objectives
Aim
Consolidate our existing datasets and make sure we get full value from them.
Objectives:
- Complete the analysis of a dataset we have in-hand from a pilot woodland in Surrey, looking for loci associated with resistance to ash dieback, and the ongoing effects of natural selection for ash dieback resistance.
- Re-annotate new ash genome reference sequences in collaboration with the University of Kentucky and using this to seek more genes associated with resistance to emerald ash borer.
- Re-analyse previous ash dieback genome wide association study (GWAS) datasets using the new reference assemblies, to more fully understand the basis for ash dieback resistance.
- Further analyse the evolution of the genus Fraxinus using new genome assemblies.
- Enhance the accessibility of this data for the use of other groups.
Expected outcomes
- A scientific paper on natural selection for ash dieback resistance in Marden Park Wood.
- New publicly available ash reference genome annotations and improved public access to ash genome data.
- A report on the distribution of ash dieback resistance markers in the ash genome.
The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is an invasive insect from Asia that targets ash trees.
Glossary
Fraxinus (genus)
A group of tree species commonly known as ash trees, which includes over 40 species distributed across Europe, Asia, and North America.
Genome assemblies
The process and result of reconstructing the complete DNA sequence of a tree from fragmented sequencing data. These assemblies are essential for understanding the genetic makeup of different tree species and identifying traits like resistance to disease.
Genome reference sequences
Comprehensive representations of the DNA sequence from a single tree. These sequences serve as a template or baseline for comparing the genomes of other individuals within the species.
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS)
A research method used to identify specific regions of the a genome, called loci, that are statistically associated with traits such as resistance to disease.
Loci
Specific, identifiable positions or regions on a tree’s DNA where genetic variants occur. These loci are important because they can be associated with traits such as resistance or susceptibility to disease.
Reference assemblies
Carefully constructed representations of the complete DNA sequence of a single tree. These assemblies serve as a genetic blueprint for the species and are used as a standard for comparing the genomes of other individuals.
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