It's more than stamp collecting: how genome sequencing can unify biological research

作者：Richards Stephen^*

来源：Trends in Genetics, 2015, 31(7): 411-421.

DOI：10.1016/j.tig.2015.04.007

• genome reference sequences
• tree of life
• taxanomic genome surveys
• genome infrastructure funding
• DNA sequencing
• Long read sequencing technologies
• genome assembly
• genome analysis
• eukaryotic genomics
• eukaryotes

The availability of reference genome sequences, especially the human reference, has revolutionized the study of biology. However, while the genomes of some species have been fully sequenced, a wide range of biological problems still cannot be effectively studied for lack of genome sequence information. Here, I identify neglected areas of biology and describe how both targeted species sequencing and more broad taxonomic surveys of the tree of life can address important biological questions. I enumerate the significant benefits that would accrue from sequencing a broader range of taxa, as well as discuss the technical advances in sequencing and assembly methods that would allow for wide-ranging application of whole-genome analysis. Finally, I suggest that in addition to 'big science' survey initiatives to sequence the tree of life, a modified infrastructure-funding paradigm would better support reference genome sequence generation for research communities most in need.

• 出版日期2015-7