Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is to sequence the genome of the Mediterannean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, and to assemble these sequences so that subsequent annotation and functional analysis of the genomic sequences may be achieved. This project will also provide the basis for sequencing other important tephritid pest species.

Approach:
Sequencing will be performed using the 454 XLR-high density pyrosequencing system. Each full-chip production run is estimated to yield approximately 400 to 500 million nucleotide (Mb) sequences, and the project has an ultimate goal of a 15-fold sequencing coverage of the medfly 500 Mb genome (~ 7,500 Mb total). Genomic sequence assembly will be achieved by computational analyses using the 454 Newbler 2.0 software, with draft assemblies deposited in a publicly accessible database.