Genomics

JIRCAS-IITA-IBRC EDITS-YAM project (co-funded by IITA and JIRCAS)

This project aims at completing the whole genome sequence of guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata), which is the most important yam species in the region. The project also aims at identification of a diversity research set that could be used for selection of parents for targeted traits to be used in further crossing and improvement.

USAID-Linkage project (funded by USAID and collaboration with The Genome Analysis Center, UK and Clemson University, USA)

The project aimed at completing the whole genome sequencing of water yam (Dioscorea alata), genotyping by sequencing (GBS) of a mapping population for anthracnose disease for linkage mapping and generates genome-wide associations for the disease.

RTB Complementary project (funded by CRP RTB)

The project aims to genotype yam germplasm collections and elite breeding lines (mainly of D. rotundata and D. alata) using next-generation sequencing technologies such as GBS to assess genetic diversity, identify mislabelled accessions, select diverse parents to initiate intra-specific and inter-specific crosses for target traits, and establish trait-based gene pools.

African Orphan Crops Consortium (AOCC) Project

This project aims to complete the whole genome sequencing (WGS) of Dioscorea dumetorum and whole genome re-sequencing (WGRS) of 100 nutritionally important lines of three Dioscorea spp. including D. rotundata, D. alata and D. dumetorum. This is collaboration between IITA, UC Davis and ICRAF.

NSF-BREAD ABRDC project

This is an upcoming project that is co-funded by Gates Foundation and USDA. This project aims to carry out a PAC-Bio genome sequencing of Dioscorea alata and complete WHRS of six mapping populations targeting anthracnose disease, and quality traits.

Metabolomics (CRP RTB Complementary funding)

This project is aimed to assess genetic diversity in different Dioscorea spp. (mainly D. rotundata, D. alata, D. bulbifera, D. dumetorum and D. esculenta) based on their metabolic profile and also to establish profiles for use in breeding for high-throughput phenotyping of target traits including diseases, quality, drought, etc. This is a collaboration between IITA and Royal Holloway University of London, UK.