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Title: Applications of next-generation sequencing techniques in plant biology

Author
item EGAN, ASHLEY - East Carolina University
item SCHLEITER, JESSICA - University Of North Carolina
item Spooner, David

Submitted to: American Journal of Botany
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2012
Publication Date: 3/1/2012
Citation: Egan, A., Schleiter, J., Spooner, D.M. 2012. Applications of next-generation sequencing techniques in plant biology. American Journal of Botany. 99(2):175-185.

Interpretive Summary: DNA is the molecule within each cell of every organism that carries the “messages” needed to make that organism develop and grow into that particular species. Understanding what these messages are and how they work is a fundamental aspect of biology. In the last few years, a set of new techniques and machines, collectively referred to as next-generation sequencing has been developed to much more cheaply and rapidly decipher these messages. This paper, written by the three editors of a special issue of American Journal of Botany devoted to next-generation sequencing, explains the nature of these new techniques and summarizes all 19 of its 19 articles. This introductory paper helps the readers to understand the basics of these new techniques and provides a thumbnail summary of the contents of this special issue that puts them into perspective.

Technical Abstract: The last several years have seen revolutionary advances in DNA sequencing technologies with the advent of next generation sequencing (NGS) techniques. NGS methods now allow millions of bases to be sequenced in one round, at a fraction of the cost relative to traditional Sanger sequencing, allowing us to address a whole range of biological questions not possible before. As costs and capabilities of these technologies continue to improve, we are only beginning to see the possibilities of NGS platforms. This is developing in parallel to online availability of a wide range of biological datasets and scientific publications, allowing us to address a variety of questions not possible before. As techniques and data sets continue to improve and grow, we are rapidly moving to the point where every organism, not just select “model organisms”, is open to the power of NGS. This volume presents a brief synopsis of NGS technologies and exemplary applications of such methods in the fields of molecular marker development, hybridization and introgression, transcriptome genetics, phylogenetic and ecological studies, polyploid genetics, and applications for large genebank collections.