Oilseed rape genome sequenced

Date:08-25-2014

An International consortium of more than 30 research institutes, coordinated by scientists at INRA and CEA-Genoscope and including Professor Ian Bancroftfrom the University of York, just succeeded in deciphering the complex genome of the recent oilseed rape (Brassica napus L, also known as rapeseed, rape or canola), the most important oilseed crop in Europe, Canada, and Australia. This scientific breakthrough paves the way to a fundamental understanding of the origins of crop species through polyploidy (consisting in inter-species hybridization and association of several genomes) and provides a foundational resource for accelerating on-going breeding efforts in the crop.