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announcement</title></head><body>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000">To: Gramene
List-serve</font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000"><br></font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000">Here is a letter from Dr.
Andrew Paterson concerning the Sorghum Genome Sequence.</font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000"><br></font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000">[begin letter]</font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000"><br></font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000">20 Nov 2006<br>
TO: Anyone interested in the sorghum genome sequence (please circulate
this as widely as possible).</font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000"><br>
As you may know, the US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute,
under its 'Community Sequencing Program' has made rapid progress
toward its commitment to provide 8X sequence coverage of the genome
of<i> Sorghum bicolor</i> L. genotype, BTx623. These data will
be combined with publicly<br>
available sequences, assembled into 'contigs' (contiguous
sequences without gaps) and 'scaffolds' (reconstructed stretches
with any gaps spanned by at least two end-sequenced clones), and
integrated with extensive physical and genetic maps to yield
genetically-oriented pseudomolecules that are anticipated to
substantially cover most sorghum chromosomes.</font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000"><br>
Sorghum sequence assemblies will be made available in advance of
publication, under the principles of the 'Ft Lauderdale' agreement
(http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:ag5ZX7CDIdkJ:www.wellcome.ac.uk/<span
></span
>assets/wtd003207.pdf+Ft+Lauderdale+sequence&hl=en&gl=us&<span
></span>ct=clnk&cd=1) to protect the interests of scientists who
wish to share pre-publication data with the community, i.e. with a
request that users defer publication of any whole-genome scale
analyses until the sequencing group has published its primary
analysis. Leading scientific journals are also being notified.
A 4x assembly is now available at
https://www.jgi.doe.gov/downloads/Sorghum_bicolor. Use
Sorghum_bicolor and ^ico@hgr as login and password, respectively.
We anticipate that the genetically- oriented 8x assembly will be
available in early 2007, barring unexpected delays.</font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000"><br>
A team has been assembled to conduct initial annotation and analysis
of the sequence for publication in a leading refereed journal.
Although many dimensions of the planned analysis are covered,
inquiries about possible participation in this effort should be
directed to Dr Paterson (paterson@uga.edu). Team members are
responsible for providing their own funding to support their
participation.</font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000"><br>
Since the primary publication of the sequence will only be able to
succinctly describe a few key features, two leading journals have
offered to consider companion papers that address specific features in
detail, for coordinated publication shortly following the primary
sequence, in a 'special section' or perhaps 'special
issue'.</font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000"><br>
1. Genome Research (www.genome.org/) has agreed to consider
large-scale genomic studies that present novel data of biological
significance.</font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000"><br>
2. The Plant Genome (www.crops.org/genome/) has agreed to consider
research that shows clear potential for translating genomic technology
into agronomic advancement.</font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000"><br>
Both journals will review sorghum genome-related submissions according
to their established mechanisms and standards. At an appropriate time,
the respective journals will provide further details. We hope that
this information is useful in planning for engagement of these new
genomic resources for<br>
sorghum in your work. We also hope that you share our excitement
about these new resources, which promise to add new dimensions to our
understanding of botanical and genomic diversity, as well as new
opportunities for improvement of leading food, feed, forage &
turf, and biofuels crops. We encourage you to consider how the
sorghum sequence might fit into your research plans, to submit
manuscripts to the coordinated reviews as appropriate, and to contact
us with any questions.</font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000"><br>
Andrew H. Paterson</font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000">Lead Proposer, CSP Sorghum
Sequencing Project</font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000">Chair, Sorghum Genomics
Executive Committee</font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000"><br></font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000">Daniel S.
Rokhsar <span
></span
> <span
></span
> <span
></span
> <span
></span> </font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000">Program Head for Computational
Genomics</font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000">Joint Genome
Institute</font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000"><br></font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000"> </font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000">[end letter]</font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000"><br></font></div>
<div><font face="Times" color="#000000"><br></font></div>
<div><font face="Times" size="-1" color="#000000"><br></font></div>
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<div>*******************************************<br>
Claire Hebbard<br>
Gramene Outreach Coordinator<br>
G15 Bradfield Hall<br>
Ithaca, NY 14853<br>
<br>
www.gramene.org<br>
<br>
ph: 607-255-4199</div>
<div>*******************************************</div>
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