Genomics for Australian Plants (GAP)

The Genomics for Australian Plants (GAP) project involves partners across all Australian State and National Herbaria and Botanic Gardens. It aims to apply the latest molecular biological and bioinformatic techniques to increase knowledge and reference data in Australian native plant evolution, genetics, ecology and conservation. The project has three broad aims:

  • Phylogenomics: To obtain an accurate phylogeny (or evolutionary tree-of-life) for all native Australian Angiosperm plants - including at least one representative from all known angiosperm genera. This part of GAP is well advanced, with >98% of genera (2181 samples) currently sampled. RBGV Bioinformatics has partnered in developing the industry-standard software for this analysis, HybPiper. This work has also partnered with the Kew Gardens Tree of Life Initiative.
  • Reference Genomes: For genome sequencing and assembly, GAP has selected key native plant species of evolutionary, environmental, economic and cultural importance. Many fields of genomic research require good quality reference genomes. Thus, not only will these genomes provide biological insights into the genome structure and evolution of the target species – they will be invaluable in future studies of Australian native plants more broadly. The project aims to fully sequence and assemble the genomes of ~28 species. RBGV Bioinformatics is the principal partner in the assembly, annotation and publication of these genomes, providing expertise and computing resources to GAP partners.
  • Conservation Genomics: Use conservation genetics to improve resolution in 17 Australian plant species complexes and better understand their population genetics to improve their conservation. RBGV scientists have been involved in four of the species complex studies and RBGV bioinformatics has provided analysis, pipeline development and support to researchers across Australia.

Plant genomes
As part of the GAP initiative, RBGV scientists sequenced and assembled the genome of Australia’s floral emblem, the golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha). RBGV bioinformatics is also engaged in ongoing genome assembly and analysis projects.