Backuping Genomic Info from South American endangered Species

PENNA, CLEMENTINA; SARAGÜETA, PATRICIA; PISCIOTTANO, FRANCISCO; GABALDÓN, TONI; TARIFA, INTI; SAUS MARTINEZ, ESTER

San Pedro de Atacama

Workshop; Exploring Genomic Landscapes EMBO Workshop; 2019

Center for Genomic Regulation (CGR)

The use of next generation sequencing technology has allowed to disassembly genomes of new species into parts. Nevertheless knowing the identity of the parts forming these genomes still isn´t enough to clarify the primary sequence and still less informative in the process of reconstructing genomic structure and function. Our project seeks to combine both classical short by Illumina technologie and long read sequencing using Oxford Nanopore Platform (ONT) with approaches that might clarify the spatial genomic conformation. We hope this information leads to a whole new comprehension in genic circuits. Aiming to solve questions in a large spectrum of disciplines as differentiation, innate behavior, non genetic heritage, evolution and illness for example. Being the Jaguar (Panthera onca) head specie in its trophic chain its population can be considered as an health indicator of its habitat. As its population declines we focused our efforts on this key predator, aiming to assist conservative works through quality genomic information. So far we sequenced nine yaguar individuals through Illumina and one also through ONT. We also sequenced other three novel South American feline species by a second generation approach allowing evolutionary studies inside this group. The current Panthera Onca genome assembly done with a 84X coverage managed to reconstruct completely 56,05% of genes present. Its using data from long read sequencing that we expect to generate a second version in which at least 95% of genes may be identified. Then we aim to construct a third version with chromosome length scaffolds using HiC technique. Workflow exposed here is then to be applied to other South American species.