Agricultural Community

Dr Scott Fahrenkrug, Rodrigo Cano, and their collaborators will use genomic and transcriptomic data collected from Kappaphycus alvarezii, a commonly cultivated type of seaweed, to understand how various environmental factors influence its growth and ability to synthesize useful biomolecules. Insights from these studies will aid in the development of new cultivars, inform management strategies for sustainable seaweed production, protect genetic diversity, and support seaweed farmers worldwide.

Molecular geneticist Dr. Ranjana Bhattacharjee, of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, will work in generating DNA sequencing data on yam diversity to accelerate breeding programs in West Africa for the benefit of food security in low-income communities.

Dr. Bertram Brenig and his collaborators will use genomics to help understand vulnerabilities impacting the Western Honey Bee, one of the most populous pollinators facing multiple challenges and population decline.

This network is serving ~10 million smallholder farmers by improving crop yield and overcoming challenges from diseases and pests. Mungbean is a short-duration legume crop that can be grown in cultivation windows between major crops such as wheat, rice, sorghum, and sugarcane. It delivers an additional protein-rich food source in the region and additional income for farmers.

The mission of the ICC-GIC is to help scientists and professionals collaborate while promoting food security and the sustainable development of the camel sector.

Dr. Villanova and her team will use sequencing to develop a high-quality de novo genome assembly and a high-density SNP-based linkage map for pacú, a commercially important South American freshwater fish.

G. Craig Yencho and Bode Olukolu are working to develop a whole-genome assembly and a SNP array for the nutritious sweet potato.

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center aims to optimize breeding strategies for improving the yield and stress tolerance of grain sorghum, a critical source of nutrition in sub-Saharan Africa.

The African Orphan Crops Consortium is using genomics to advance the breeding process for orphan crop plant species, with a mission to curb malnutrition in African children.

In 2017, Illumina donated a HiSeq 4000 System to the African Orphan Crops Consortium to help the organization complete its crop sequencing project. Members of the consortium hope that their work will help to improve the food supply and nourish families in need.

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Timothy J. Close, PhD is studying the cowpea to maximize drought resistance of this important food source in West Africa.

Illumina sheep and goat BeadChips help Iowa State University researchers identify selection signatures associated with heat and drought tolerance.

Rajeev Varshney, PhD and other ICRISAT researchers are using Illumina sequencing to develop disease-resistant pigeonpea varieties.

Illumina sequencing is enabling BecA-ILRI Hub researchers to better understand two viruses responsible for infecting cassava crops throughout Africa.

The USDA is employing Illumina sequencing to uncover the genetic differences between the world's goat breeds, identifying mutations that enable goats to thrive in harsh environments.

By sequencing the baobab tree, Monsanto is providing scientists with the genomic resources to protect and sustain the baobab, while informing our understanding of tree evolution.