Participants

Introduction to the Sesame Genome Working Group

The Sesame Genome Working Group (SGWG) is composed of six major sesame research groups in China, involved in investigating genetic diversity of germplasm resources, functional genomics, and biotic and abiotic resistance, in addition to sesame genome sequencing. The project management unit of SGP, Sesame Research Center, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, is situated in Zhengzhou, China. Dr. Haiyang Zhang, Principal Investigator, zhy@hnagri.org.cn.

â˜† Sesame Research Center, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou

â˜† TEDA School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin

â˜† Department of Bioengineering, Henan Technology University, Zhengzhou

â˜† Institute of Plant Protection Research, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou

â˜† Crop Research Institute, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei

â˜† Crops Research Institute, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang

Sesame Research Center, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Sesame Research Center (SRC), Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (HAAS), was set up in 1986. HSRC is the leading organization in sesame science research in China, The main scientific research in HSRC focuses on sesame germplasm resources identification and appreciation; genetics and genomics; breeding technology optimization and new varieties selection; sesame diseases theoretical research and bio-control techniques; and sesame cultivation theoretical research and corresponding cultivation techniques.
SGWG- HSRC was set up in 2008. New progresses on sesame transcriptomics, functional genomics have been made by SGWG-HSRC. Sesame transcriptomes from 24 groups of S. indicum materials and treatments have been sequenced using Illumina paired-end sequencing technology and obtained a 40G dataset containing 42,566 unitranscript sequences. More than 3,000 EST-SSR primers have been developed using this dataset. In order to explore the specific genes involved in sesame growth and development, SGWG-HSRC has constructed a full-length cDNA library of S. indicum cv. Yuzhi 11 containing 300,000 clones in 2010. Meanwhile, a BIBAC (pCLD 04541) library of 80,000 clones with an insert size of 120 kb and a BAC (CopyControl^TM pCC1BAC^TM) library of 57,600 clones with an insert size of 85 kb have been constructed recently with Yuzhi 11 for gene cloning. Till now more than one hundred genes about sesame seed- specific, fertility, resistances to diseases and abiotic stresses have been cloned. In order to accelerate the functional genome research, the technology systems of sesame callus tissue induction & plantlet regeneration and Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation were set up by SGWG-HSRC in 2011; Sesame chromosome karyotype analysis, FISH and BAC- FISH techniques were set up at the same time.
To support the implementation of the Sesame Genome Project, the sesame molecular genetic map is rebuilt recently, which is based on the first sesame map set up by HSRC in 2009. This new map comprises 14 linkage groups, with 653 SSR, SNP, AFLP and RSAMPL markers. Furthermore, the chloroplast genome of S. Indicum cv., Yuzhi 11, has been sequenced and assembled recently. The necessary platforms, i. e., Transcriptome database, Oases, Trinity and BLAST basic dataset, have been built for genome dataset analysis.
The main goals and tasks of SGWG- HSRC are:
â˜† Organizing and implementing the Sesame Genome Project; â˜† Constructing the genetic linkage map and physical map of S. Indicum ; â˜† Constructing transcriptome database; â˜† Analyzing the genome and chromosome evolvement system; â˜† Analyzing the synthesis and regulation network of sesame fatty acids; â˜† Exploring the regulation mechanisms of sesame resistances to Fusarium wilt disease, waterlogging and other abiotic stresses.
Contact:
Hongmei Miao, Co-Principal Investigator,miaohongmei@yahoo.com.cn Sesame Research Center, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences 116 Huayuan Road, Zhengzhou 450002, China

TEDA School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University
Tianjin Biochip Corporation (TBC) and TEDA School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology (TSBSB), Nankai University were incorporated in 2003. The Lab focuses on microbial detection biochips research and development, genome and transcriptome sequencing and analysis, the biological genomics and functional genomics research and laboratory services. TBC and TSBSB is one of the five national biochip research and development plantforms funded by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program)
The Sesame Genome Working Group of TEDA School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology (SGWG- TSBSB) was set up in 2009. Sequencing of the chloroplast genome of S. indicum cv. Yuzhi 11 has been performed in TSBSB. During implementing the Sesame Genome Project, high coverage Solexa sequencing and draft genome assembly have been performed in 2011. 98 Gb of Solexa reads were generated giving a 276 coverage of the estimated genome. To ensure the assembly quality, five types of Solexa libraries, including two paired-end libraries with insert sizes of 300 and 500 bp, and three mate-pair libraries with insert sizes of 2, 3 and 5 kb were constructed. 454 pyrosequencing and BAC sequencing and fine map construction are being done.
The main goals and tasks of SGWG- TSBSB are:
â˜† Performing the sesame genome sequencing and assembly; â˜† Sequencing sesame BAC library.
Contact:
Lei Wang, Co-Princicipal Investigator,wanglei@nankai.edu.cn TEDA School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area, Tianjin 300457, China

Department of Bioengineering, Henan Technology University
The Department of Bioengineering, which is sponsored by Henan Technology University, focuses on biological and pharmic engineering, biological technology, animal nutriology and plant pathology. The Sesame Genome Working Group of Bioengineering Department (SGWG- BD) was set up in 2011.
The main goals and tasks of SGWG- BD are:
â˜† Taking part in the genome sequencing and assembly. â˜† Analyzing the synthesis and regulation network of sesame fatty acids, proteins and lignans.
Contact:
Lingbo Qu, Co-Princicipal Investigator,qulingbo@zzu.edu.cn Department of Bioengineering, Henan Technology University, Zhengzhou No.1 Lianhua Street, High and new technology development zone, Zhengzhou 450001, China.

Institute of Plant Protection Research,Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences
The Sesame Genome Working Group of Plant Protection Research Institute (SGWG-PPRI) was set up in 2009. The research goals involve in the functional genomics of sesame resistance to Charcoal rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina, including identification of resistant germplasm resources, genetics analysis of disease resistance, RGAP (Resistance gene analog polymorphism) analysis of resistant germplasm resources, resistance genes cloning and functional genomics analysis. Four defense enzyme genes (POD, CAT, SOD and PPO) and eight full-length NBS-LRR genes have been cloned in SGWG-PPRI Lab. The genes expression induction by Macrophomina phaseolina has been screened by RGAP technique.
The main goals and tasks of SGWG-PPRI are:
â˜† Taking part in the genome sequencing and assembly. â˜† Analyzing the regulation mechanisms of sesame resistances to Charcoal rot disease and waterlogging stress.
Contact:
Hongyan Liu, Co-Princicipal Investigator, liuhy1219@163.com Institute of Plant Protection Research, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 116 Huayuan Road, Zhengzhou 450002, China

Crop Research Institute, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences
The Sesame Genome Working Group of Crop Research Institute, AAAS (SGWG- CRI) was set up in 2009. The research goals involve in sesame molecular marker screening and genetic mechanism of genetic male sterility. The high efficient restoration and maintenance systems about recessive infertility lines have been created in the Lab.
The main goals and tasks of SGWG- CRI of AAAS are:
â˜† Taking part in the genome sequencing and assembly. â˜† Analyzing the regulation network of sesame growth and development.
Contact:
Qiang Wang, Co-Princicipal Investigator, wq161@yahoo.com.cn Crop Research Institute, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei 40 South Nongke Road, Hefei 230031, China

Crops Research Institute, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences
The Sesame Genome Working Group of Crops Research Institute, JAAS (SGWG- CRI) engages in the sesame genetic improvement, breeding and seed multiplication. Our group is also interested in genetic and molecular marker and gene (or QTL) functional analysis of important agronomic traits such as determinate growth habit, yield, eating quality, and stress tolerance, by using genetic material constructed, molecular marker, and sequence data of sesame ESTs.
The main goals and tasks of SGWG- CRI of JAAS are:
â˜† Taking part in the genome sequencing and assembly. â˜† Analyzing the regulation network of sesame resistances to bacterium diseases and drought stress.
Contact:
Meiwang Yue, Co-Princicipal Investigator, mwyuecarl@163.com Crops Research Institute, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang 1738 Nothern Liantang Avenue, Nanchang 330200, China