Nasonia has been selected for full genome sequencing by NIH. It will be the first parasitoid insect to have its genome sequenced. Genome sequencing has been approved by NIH for 6-fold sequencing of N. vitripennis and 1-fold sequencing of the two sibling species, N. giraulti and N.longicornis.This will provide a wealth of sequence information for comparative evolutionary genetics, as well as genetic research. An additional advantage is that the three species are inter-fertile, permitting movement of genes between them, to test functional hypotheses relating to genome evolution.
The rationale for sequencing Nasonia is presented in the Nasonia White Paper.
Letters of support for the Nasonia Genome Project are available here.
Current Genome Paper Documents here.
Additional links relating to Nasonia’s selection are below.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-03/nhgr-nt1030105.php
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/03/050307100237.htm
http://www.genome.gov/10002154
Send comments on the Nasonia Genome Project and any interest in participating to werr@mail.rochester.edu.
Laboratories conducting research on Nasonia
