The Report of Marine Life Genomic Research

Abstract

With the continuing development of sequencing technology, genomics has been applied in a variety of biological research areas. In particular, the application of genomics to marine species, which boast a high diversity, promises great scientific and industrial potential. Significant progress has been made in marine genomics especially over the past few years. Consequently, BGI, leveraging its prominent contributions in genomics research, established BGI-Qingdao, an institute specifically aimed at exploring marine genomics. In order to accelerate marine genomics research and related applications, BGI-Qingdao initiated the International Conference on Genomics of the Ocean (ICG-Ocean) to develop international collaborations and establish a focused and coherent global research plan. Last year, the first ICG-Ocean conference was held in Qingdao, China, during which 47 scientists in marine genomics from all over the world reported on their research progress to an audience of about 300 attendees. This year, we would like to build on that success, drafting a report on marine genomics to draw global attention to marine genomics. We summarized the recent progress, proposed future directions, and we would like to enable additional profound insights on marine genomics. Similar to the annual report on plant and fungal research by Kew Gardens, and the White Paper of ethical issues on experimental animals, we hope our first report on marine genomics can provide some useful insights for researchers, funding agencies as well as industry, and that future versions will expand upon the foundation established here in both breadth and depth of knowledge.This report summarizes the recent progress in marine genomics in six parts including: marine microorganisms, marine fungi, marine algae and plants, marine invertebrates, marine vertebrates and genomics-based applications.

Chromosome-Level Comprehensive Genome of Mangrove Sediment-Derived Fungus Penicillium variabile HXQ-H-1

“…However, the research on mangrove fungi is not extensive. According a white paper, only 339 manglicolous fungal species have been identified and 46 marine (contain mangrove) fungi genome assembled [64]. As far as we know, this is the first Penicillium genome in mangrove ecosystems.…”

Chromosome-level genome provides insights into environmental adaptability and innate immunity in the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis)

“…D. leucas, Orcinus orca, T. truncates, Physeter macrocephalus, etc.) have been assembled and published in recent years [30][31]. These efforts have facilitated comparative genomics and evolutionary studies of cetaceans and expanded our understanding of these unique species.…”

The first chromosome‐level genome for a marine mammal as a resource to study ecology and evolution

“…Because of its unique adaptations, a draft genome has recently been published for a sperm whale stranded in the Gulf of Mexico (Warren et al, ). Draft genomes of bowhead whale ( Balaena mysticetus ), minke whale ( Balaenoptera acutorostrata ), Antarctic minke whale ( Balaenoptera bonaerensis ), grey whale ( Eschrichtius robustus ), baiji ( Lipotes vexillifer ), white whale ( Delphinapterus leucas ), killer whale ( Orcinus orca ), bottlenose dolphin ( Tursiops truncates ), Yangtze finless porpoise ( Neophocaena asiaeorientalis ) and harbour porpoise ( Phocoena phocoena ) are also available (Fan et al, ). However, to our knowledge, none of these currently available cetacean genomes has been assembled into chromosomes, which limits comparative genomic studies to some extent.…”

“…Sperm whales are distributed globally (Jaquet & Whitehead, 1996) and migrate seasonally to feeding and breeding grounds (Smith, Reeves, Josephson, & Lund, 2012). Because of its unique adaptations, a draft genome has recently been published for a sperm whale stranded in the Gulf of Mexico (Warren et al, 2017 (Fan et al, 2018). However, to our knowledge, none of these currently available cetacean genomes has been assembled into chromosomes, which limits comparative genomic studies to some extent.…”