The MULTINATIONAL BRASSICA GENOME PROJECT (MBGP)

Organisation

The MBGP arose through the recognition of the benefits of internaational collaboration and co-ordination, especially with respect to development and dissemination of experimental resources and information. Several sub-committees exist to manage specific tasks. These include the Brassica rapa Genome Sequencing Project (BrGSP) Management Committee , the MBGP TILLING consortium, and others focused on development of a common bioinformatics framework. In Jan 2010, it was agreed that the MBGP SC and BrGSP would merge.

• The MBGP Steering Committee has an agreed defined remit, with clear set of responsibilities.
• The current Chair is Jacqui Batley at  UWA, Australia

Objectives

The Multinational Brassica Genome Project was established in 2002, following discussions amongst members of the international research community who were at that time involved in developing a number of genomic resources.

• The original outine of the effort is available , together with the subsequent Concept note for Brassica Genome Sequencing. A White Paper was also produced.
• Current efforts are focused on establishment of a Brassica Information System, development of associated standards for describing data entities and experimental resources, and in ongoing sharing of information.
• Annual meetings of an ad hoc Steering Group are held at least once a year (at PAG, but also when possible at other international meetings). Minutes are recorded below
• A moderated mailing list is available for sharing information and announcements with colleagues wordldwide.
• A Roadmap for the Brassica Information System (BIS) has been generated (2018)
• ***Outcome of BIS questionnaire 2018/19
• A diploid pan-genome reference gene model nomenclature was agreed in 2019 and the set of aligned A, B, C genomes and gene models published in Nature Plants in 2021

Achievements

The MBGP has been successful in ensuring that a range of valuable experimental resources are now freely available, in the public domain. These now include:

• May 2021: Publication of aligned reference Brassica pan-genomes with consistent MBGP gene nomenclature
• 2018: Adoption of Roadmap for a Brassica Information System
• 2017: User guide to 60k Infinium^TM SNP array
• 2016: Infinium^TM 50k chip publication
• 2014: B. napus reference genome published in Science
• 2014: B. oleracea genomes published in Nature Communications and Genome Biology
• Illumina Infinium^TM 50k SNP array
• 2011: Brassica rapa genome published in Nature Genetics
• 2010: Affymetrix GeneChip Brassica Exon 1.0 ST Array
• 2008: Standardisation of nomenclature (e.g. linkage groups, genes)
• Genetic maps and populations
• Collation of public domain SSR markers
• ESTs in public repositories
• BAC libraries and physical (BAC) contig maps
• Analysis of B. oleracea shotgun sequences
• MBGP "White Paper"
• www.brassica.info available since 2002 (see the original page at the Wayback Machine)

Current and Future Challenges

• Consistent genome annotation, information registries and data exchange standards
• Integration of genetic and genomic maps: from QTL to gene
• Standardised screening of genetic diversity sets

Meetings

The MBGP Steering Committee aims to meet at least once a year. This usually includes a main meeting at the annual Plant Animal Genome conference in San Diego, held in January. Additional meetings are held whenever there is a relevant major international brassica conference. Minutes of meetings are available here.

Previous chairs of MBGP Steering Group

(this may not be accurate - if anyone has more precise information, please let me know)

2003-4	Ian Bancroft
2005-6	Graham King
2007-8	Isobel Parkin
2009-10	Ian Bancroft
2011-12	Chris Pires
2013-14	Rod Snowdon
2015-16	Boulos Chalhoub
2017-18	Graham King