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40 SEEDWORLD.COM OCTOBER 2015 chromosomes with highly similar gene contents and a large propor- tion of repetitive DNA wheat was considered impossible to sequence. Thus despite its socioeconomic importance and the recognition of the power that a genome sequence brings to breeding programs bread wheat remains one of the last major crops without a high-quality refer- ence genome sequence. The IWGSC was created in 2005 to change this paradigm. The international public-private collaborative consortium was established by a group of wheat growers scientists and breed- ers. Its goal is to deliver a publicly available high quality genome sequence of bread wheat that can serve as a foundation for wheat improvement and help to ensure profitability throughout the wheat value chain. The IWGSC is led by a board of directors that develops the overall strategy and a leadership team in charge of daily manage- ment. The coordinating commit- tee is comprised of sponsors and leaders of IWGSC projects. The committee is responsible for estab- lishing the overall scientific strategy and the strategic roadmap. IWGSC membership is open to any individual who is interested in supporting the goals and activities of the consortium. A Milestone-based Strategy To circumvent genome complex- ity the IWGSC adopted a chro- mosome-based approach made possible through technological advancements in flow-sorting of chromosomes. The IWGSC follows a milestone-based adaptable strategy for all of the 21 bread wheat chromosomes. The three key milestones on the roadmap are to Produce draft sequences that provide a gene catalogue and localize as many genes along the chromosomes as possible. Generate physical maps that serve as substrates for sequencing. Complete map-based reference sequences that accurately order more than 90 percent of the genomic information and link the sequence to genetic and phenotypic maps. While the draft sequence provides useful information to breeders for marker-assisted selection the physical map-based strategy remains the only approach that can efficiently deliver with todays sequencing technol- ogy a high-quality ordered sequence comparable to the gold standard reference sequence of rice. The IWGSC regularly adapts its strategy to integrate the newest sequencing technologies while maintaining the objec- tive of a high-quality reference 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 markers and intra-and inter-species variation that can be associated 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 publication 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 cloning 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 physi- cal maps for 16 chromosomes have been developed and five draft maps should be finished before the end of 2016. PHOTOFLORMOND-DESPREZ. 60 is the expected increase in demand for wheat by 2050. 21 is the number of countries the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium works in. 16 physical maps of chromosomes have been completed to date and five more are in progress. Researchers continue their pursuit of improving wheat a staple crop around the world.