Seminar "The Genome of the Bioenergy Grass Miscanthus" by Dr. Therese Mitros

Molecular Genetics Unit (Rokhsar Unit) would like to invite you to a seminar by Dr. Therese Mitros from University of California, Berkeley

Title:  The Genome of the Bioenergy Grass Miscanthus

Abstract:
Miscanthus is a highly productive C4 grass capable of high biomass yields even in cool climates. We have completed a chromosome-scale assembly of the Miscanthus sinensis genome, with which we can examine the relationships within the Miscanthus genus and analyze the relationship within the Andropogoneae tribe. We have analyzed diverse accessions that allow us to determine the genetic the origin of the highly productive triploid Miscanthus x giganteus. The Miscanthus genus, a member of the Andropogoneae, has a whole-genome duplication relative to the tropical grass Sorghum bicolor due to an allotetraploidy event that has resolved itself to disomic inheritance. It shares an evolutionary branch with sugarcane, a genome that has undergone multiple rounds of duplication relative to their common ancestor with sorghum. An analysis of the structural and regulatory changes among these genomes offer insights into the evolution of rhizome development, nutrient recycling, and self-incompatibility traits.