With the advent of next-generation sequencing and increasing computational powers over the past decades, science’s capacity of understanding and utilizing genomic data dramatically increased. Compiling chromosomal-scale genomes (“gold genomes”) for non-model organisms is an innovative challenge that can now be addressed in a cost-effective way. Here we present a combination of sequencing strategies and assembly approaches to build a chromosomal-scale genome of a Xanthoparmelia lichen fungus. We used a combination of cutting-edge sequencing methods including ultra-long-read Nanopore sequencing, Illumina reads for polishing, chromosome conformation capture with Hi-C technology, and short scaffolding with transposase enzyme linked long-read sequencing (Tell-Seq). Many steps in the various protocols were optimized to best fit lichens, including a successful and inexpensive high molecular weight DNA extraction prep. The methodologies described here, from DNA extraction to sequencing and assembly, will provide a novel protocol for genome sequencing under a lichen-focused framework. The assembled gold genomes will provide ideal reference genomes that lay the groundwork for the next level of lichen genome research.
Complete tool for submission, evaluation and publication of proceedings for scientific events.
