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The International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium turns 20 in January 2025!

The wheat reference genome sequence (IWGSC RefSeq v1.0 & v2.1) has provided a foundation that has propelled recent advances in research and improvement of wheat. For the Structural and Functional Genomics Workshop, continued advances in research and understanding will require new experimental and computational approaches to structurally identify and assign function to genes (both coding and non-coding) as well as regulatory elements and epigenetic states. Presentations in this workshop will include the advances in structural and functional genomics as well as a presentation on assembling complex genomes.

The IWGSC has led the effort to develop a high quality, reference sequence of the large, complex (hexaploid), bread wheat genome: IWGSC RefSeq v1.0 and annotation v1.1 as well as IWGSC RefSeq v2.1 and accompanying annotation. The IWGSC began a new wheat diversity project to bring to platinum quality the reference sequence and 12 landraces that reflect the breadth of wheat diversity. In the IWGSC workshop this year, there will be a key presentation on the genomics of the AE Watkins wheat landrace collection, several talks on advances in functional genomics, as well as a presentation on a snRNA-SEQ atlas. As usual, the workshop also includes the presentation of the IWGSC-Feuillet Early Career Award, Delfi Dorussen,on whether transcriptional compensation facilitates functional redundancy in wheat. This award is given to a young scientist nominated by anyone in the wheat community and selected by the IWGSC leadership in recognition of outstanding achievement.

Delfi Dorussen has been awarded the IWGSC-Feuillet Early Career Award and will receive her award at the Plant & Animal Genome Conference (PAG) in San Diego, California (USA) in January 2025. Delfi also received a travel stipend to travel to the PAG conference to present a talk during the IWGSC main workshop on Saturday 11 January 2025.

Abstracts for proposed talks are now being accepted by the IWGSC for individuals who would like to present their work at one of the IWGSC workshops that will be held at the Plant and Animal Genome Conference 32 (10-15 January 2025, San Diego, CA, USA).

Nominations are now being accepted for the prestigious IWGSC-Feuillet Early Career Award. The recipient will speak at the Main IWGSC workshop that will be held at the Plant and Animal Genome Conference 32 in January 2025.

Lucas Reber was awarded an IWGSC Early Career Award and will receive his award at the Plant and Animal Genome Conference (PAG) Australia in September 2024. Lucas also received a travel stipend to help defray the cost to travel to the PAG conference and will present his work during the IWGSC workshop on Thursday 19 September 2024.

The IWGSC Workshop at PAG is a premier venue for scientists advancing genome-based research and improvement in bread wheat. Oral presentations will focus on latest frontiers in genome biology, basic or applied, leading to significant advances in wheat science. The workshop will also include a presentation from the recipient of the IWGSC Early Career Award and travel stipend. This award is given to a young scientist nominated by anyone in the wheat community and selected by the IWGSC leadership in recognition of outstanding achievement.

A round-up of the IWGSC activities in 2023.

The IWGSC is looking for a Genome Curation Intern to join an international research project performing large-scale genome sequencing of common bread wheat. This will be a 10- week paid internship with a competitive salary. The start and end dates are flexible, preferably May-August 2024. Remote work is a possibility. Deadline for application: Friday 26 April 2024.