NRGene collaborates with international researchers to decode emmer wheat genome

Genomic big data company NRGene is working in collaboration with researchers from across the world to decode the genome of wild emmer wheat.

The importance of this variety of wheat is that it is the immediate progenitor of most cultivated varieties, making it an important genetic resource to enable improvement of crops.

NRGene will use its DeNovoMAGIC assembler, which produces accurate and phased scaffolds in short time-frames for genome assembly, helping to reduce the time needed for the procedure drastically.

The group is aiming to complete the project in the next six months, despite some computational challenges.

Wheat geneticist and one of the primary researchers in the project Assaf Distelfeld of Tel Aviv University (TAU) said: "The sequenced genome is a very important resource that will link genetic data and plant performance in the field. When we have this information, we can better engineer the seeds and get higher yields, better grain quality and nutritional value, and plants that are resistant to diseases and better adapted to their growing environments.

"Sequencing the wild wheat genome will advance wheat research and facilitate the genetic identification necessary for continuing wheat improvement."

Apart from researchers from leading universities in Israel, the project has seen the participation of researchers from Hebrew University, Weizmann Institute of Science, University of Haifa, Ben Gurion University, Volcani Institute for Agricultural Research in Israel, Sabanci University in Turkey, and Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) in Germany.

NRGene CEO Gil Ronen said: "Wild emmer wheat was discovered by Aharon Aaronsohn in Rosh Pina in 1906. Now, it’s poised to provide genetic data that can dramatically enhance the world food supply. With NRGene’s technology, we’re unlocking the secrets of our success and sharing them with the world."

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Image: The wild emmer wheat is the immediate progenitor of most cultivated varieties which makes it an important genetic resource to enable improvement of crops. Photo: courtesy of franky242/freedigitalphotos.net.