Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
Page 11
Page 12
Page 13
Page 14
Page 15
Page 16
Page 17
Page 18
Page 19
Page 20
Page 21
Page 22
Page 23
Page 24
Page 25
Page 26
Page 27
Page 28
Page 29
Page 30
Page 31
Page 32
Page 33
Page 34
Page 35
Page 36
Page 37
Page 38
Page 39
Page 40
Page 41
Page 42
Page 43
Page 44
Page 45
Page 46
Page 47
Page 48
Page 49
Page 50
Page 51
Page 52
Page 53
Page 54
Page 55
Page 56
Page 57
Page 58
Page 59
Page 60
Page 61
Page 62
Page 63
Page 64
Page 65
Page 66
Page 67
Page 68
42 while maintaining the objective of a high-quality refer- ence sequence. A physical map-based sequence is the best resource for understanding genome function as it provides access to the complete gene catalogue permits the identification and functional analysis of regulatory features and chromosomal organization and provides accurate maps of genetic mark- ers and intra-and inter-species variation that can be asso- ciated with specific traits such as quality yield drought tolerance or durable disease resistance. Significant Achievements The first milestone was reached in July 2014 with the pub- lication in the journal Science of draft sequences for each of the 21 wheat chromosomes and a putative order for about half of the genes on each chromosome. While not yet representing a complete sequence the capacity for the first time to identify the localization of a gene on a wheat chromosome in silico is already helping us to speed up our breeding efforts and map-based clon- ing projects for trait improvement says Catherine Feuillet head of trait research at Bayer CropScience and IWGSC board member. The completion of the second milestone is well underway as physical maps for 16 chromosomes have been devel- oped and five draft maps should be finished before the end of 2016. Progress toward the final milestone is gathering momen- tum. The first reference sequence of a wheat chromosome 3B was completed in France and published in 2014 in the same special issue of Science as the draft sequences. Reference sequencing of 11 other chromosomes is under- way in 11 countries and will be completed during the next 18 months. The IWGSC currently seeks funding for the remaining nine chromosomes and proposals for four are pending before national funding agencies. Successful and Sustainable Public-Private Partnership International research laboratories and seed companies have been instrumental in achieving IWGSC milestones. The wheat genome sequencing project is an example of a successful and sustainable public-private partnership with clear and consistent objectives designed to produce resources for breeders and ultimately growers. The chromosome-based approach allowed the IWGSC to support building skills and resources in many countries by engaging research teams in the development of physical maps and sequences. Even though this international par- ticipatory effort adds to coordination challenges it facili- tates cost sharing and rapid application of the data into the numerous wheat breeding programs around the world. The IWGSC currently has projects in 21 countries and 1100 members representing 361 research institutions or private companies in 55 countries. An additional 350 indi- viduals from 56 institutes and five additional countries are registered to use the publicly available data that has been generated by IWGSC projects. Contributions and Benefits For Seeds Companies and Growers Seed companies and grower organizations have been involved in the consortium since its establishment. An essential aspect of their contribution is to provide input on strategic orientations. For example their input was critical at the beginning as it was necessary to decide which wheat variety should be sequenced. Bread wheat was selected as that is the variety grown by 95 per cent of the farmers. Simultaneously seed companies wanted access to the sequence of bread wheat rather than that of wild diploid Researchers continue their pursuit of improving wheat a staple crop around the world. PhotoFlormond-Desprez. Wheat breeding still requires the hands of skilled breeder. PhotoFlormond-Desprez.