Potato Genome Sequence and Annotation Resource

We have been funded by the National Science Foundation to sequence chromosome VI of potato as part of the international Potato Genome Sequencing Consortium (PGSC) and to develop and provide bioinformatic resources for potato. The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the fourth most important crop in the world, behind wheat, rice, and maize. In 2004, worldwide production of potatoes exceeded 327 million metric tons. The potato produces more food energy and food value per unit of land area than any other crop. Compared to grain crops, the potato is a superior source of nutrition. However, among the major crop plants, the potato is arguably the most intensively managed. In addition, tuber quality requirements are complex and must be maintained during harvest and storage.

We will generate genomic resources for potato by participating in the PGSC, generating Genome Survey Sequences and a draft sequence of chromosome VI. This sequence, along with other publicly available potato genome sequence, will be annotated for genes and other features, and made available through a web-based portal for scientists. Integrated into this portal will be genetic marker information and quantitative trait loci that have been mapped in potato. We will develop an educational exhibit in collaboration with the US Botanical Garden that demonstrates challenges in potato and agricultural production and how science, including genomics, can meet these challenges.

This project was initiated at TIGR on October 1, 2006, and as of October 1, 2007 moved to Michigan State University. Data generated by the project is posted on this website as it becomes available.

Participants:

Principal Investigator (PI): C. Robin Buell, Michigan State University
Collaborator: Jiming Jiang, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Collaborator: Christine Flanagan, U. S. Botanic Garden

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. DBI-0604907. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recomendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Project Resources

Track the BAC sequencing status on our BAC summary page.

BAC and BAC end sequences are available for download from our ftp site.

Annotation of the potato BAC sequences is accessible through our Solanaceae comparative genome database.

Analyses of the potato BAC and BAC end sequences can be found through our Analyses/Tools page.