Project Number: 3640-21220-020-19
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Sep 01, 2008
End Date: Aug 31, 2010

Objective:
The specific objectives of the proposal are: 1) sequence and assemble the genome of the wheat leaf rust fungus, Puccinia triticina; 2) annotate the genome using ESTs; 3) publicly release all data on a comparative website (Broad) and NCBI; and 4) provide training opportunities for students and postdocs.

Approach:
Sequence and assemble the complete genome of P. triticina isolate 1-1, Race 1 (BBBD), which is estimated to be between 100 - 120 Mb, using a hybrid of 454 and ABI (Sanger) Fosmid-end sequence. Annotate gene structure using computational methods, 200,000 454 reads of ESTs from each of four new cDNA libraries, and other available ESTs. Evaluate P. triticina polymorphism and diversity by comparing the sequenced strain with three additional isolates using Illumina/Solexa sequence. Develop education, training and outreach programs.