Post-genome Sequencing Developments

Abstract

The publication of the first draft of the sorghum genome assembly during 2009 opened up avenues directed towards understanding the genome organization and annotation of the genome to know the diverse classes of genes. Post-genome sequencing developments include comparative genomics for understanding the syntenic relationships with other model plants and related crop species, genome annotation through in silico approaches and validation of their functions, functional analysis of agronomically important genes, detection of SNPs and microRNAs and analyzing their role in gene function and regulation, transcriptome analysis to understand the gene networks associated with complex traits, in silico mapping of agronomically important genes, and epigenomics for understanding the non-genetic regulation of gene expression. The most effective strategy for achieving precision in the genetic improvement of sorghum is through the integration of genomic data, genetic principles, statistical knowledge, molecular biology, and plant breeding methodologies through inter-disciplinary research. This chapter focuses on the developments in genomics after the sequencing of sorghum genome, particularly the genome organization, structural and functional gene annotations, functional analysis of genes governing various biochemical pathways, and their impact in the genetic improvement of sorghum.