A Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of Dendrobium Huoshanense Using Long Reads and Hi-C Data

Area of Science:

• Genomics
• Plant Science
• Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background:

• Dendrobium huoshanense is a valuable herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
• Active therapeutic components have been identified, but genomic data is lacking.
• Genomic information is crucial for understanding biosynthesis and applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To generate the first chromosome-level genome assembly and annotation of Dendrobium huoshanense.
• To identify genes involved in the biosynthesis of therapeutic compounds, particularly polysaccharides.
• To provide a foundation for future research and applications of D. huoshanense.

Main Methods:

• Integration of PacBio, Illumina paired-end, and Hi-C sequencing data.
• Chromosome-level genome assembly and annotation.
• Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional annotation.

Main Results:

• A 1.285 Gb genome assembly with contig N50 of 598 kb and scaffold N50 of 71.79 Mb.
• Annotation of 21,070 protein-coding genes and 0.96 Gb of transposable elements.
• Identification of 252 genes involved in polysaccharide biosynthesis.

Conclusions:

• The genome assembly provides essential genomic resources for Dendrobium huoshanense.
• This study facilitates functional genomics research, especially in glycan biosynthesis and metabolism.
• The findings have implications for the conservation and medicinal use of D. huoshanense.