Available here is the first draft genomic sequence of the duck (Anas platyrhynchos). Duck is a member of Anatidae, a family of birds that include geese and swans. However, duck is an economically important waterfowl serving as a source of meat, eggs and feathers; though, of special interest to agriculture and medicine is that fact that the duck is a principal natural host of influenza A viruses and harbours all subtypes of 16 haemagglutinin and 9 neuraminidase subtypes currently known, except for H13 and H16 subtypes.
Using llumina Genome Analyser sequencing technology the genome of a 10-week old female Beijing duck was sequenced and a total 77 Gb of paired-end reads (approximately 64-fold coverage of the whole genome) was generated with an average length of 50 bp. Using SOAPdenovo to combine short reads, a draft genome assembly was constructed consisting of 78,487 scaffolds and covered 1.1 Gb. The contig N50 and scaffold N50 values were 26 kb and 1.2 Mb respectively. Super scaffolds were constructed and chromosomal sequences created according to the duck genetic map this resulted in 47 superscaffolds which contained 225 scaffolds and spanned 289 Mb. Transcriptomes were also generated from several different tissues, comprising 1.87 million ESTs, and approximately 121 million 75-bp and 917 million 90-bp paired-end reads, which were generated using either the 454/Roche Life Sciences Analyzer or Illumina Genome sequencing technology.

Available here is the first draft genome sequence of the Tibetan ground tit (Pseudopodoces humilis) also known as Humes Groundpecker. This bird is native to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) or the roof of the world, which has become a focus for many biological studies due to the extreme environmental conditions, and the genetic mechanisms of high-altitude adaptation has never been studied. Controversy also exists regarding the ground tits phylogeny formerly thought to be part of the Corvidae family, recent phylogenetic analysis have determined this to not be the case.
A 1.04 Gb assembled draft genome sequence was generated that covered 95.4% of the whole genome. The scaffold N50 and contig N50 values were 16.3 Mb and 164.7 Kb respectively. High accuracy at the sequencing level was ensured, where the average sequencing depth of the ground tit assembly was 96×, and 99% of the assembly had at least 20× coverage. This data contributes to the study of avian evolutionary history and provides new insights into the tits adaptation to extreme environmental conditions.

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is considered a symbol of China and is a much loved animal all around the world. It is also one of the worlds most endangered species, making it a flagship species for conservation efforts. As the first fully sequenced Ursidae and the second fully sequenced carnivore after the dog, the whole genome sequence and annotation data provide an unparalleled amount of information to aid in understanding the genetic and biological underpinnings of this unique species, and will help contribute to disease control and conservation efforts.In 2008, BGI completed a first draft of the genome sequence of a three-year old female giant panda named Jingjing, who was used as a model for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China (doi: 10.1038/nature08696). Using second-generation Illumina GA sequencing data, the first de novo genome assembly was created using short-read sequencing technology. Here you will find the giant panda genome sequence assembly as well as annotation information, such as gene structure and function, non-coding RNAs, and repeat elements. Also presented are polymorphism information detected in the diploid genome, including SNPs, indels, and structural variations (SVs). The assembly was done using SOAPdenovo software and the panda genome data is visualized via MapView, which is powered by the Google Web Toolkit.

Available here is genomic data for the polyploid plant Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis line Chiifu-401-42, a Chinese cabbage. As there are several oil and vegetable crop species in the Brassica family, this genome is of great agricultural relevance. It also provides an important resource for studying the evolution of polyploid genomes.The Brassica rapa Genome Sequencing Project Consortium assembled a 283.8 Mb genome estimated to cover >98% of the gene space. Using 72X coverage of paired short read sequences generated by Illumina GA II technology and 199,452 BAC-end sequences, 159 super scaffolds were produced, representing 90% of the assembled sequences with an N50 scaffold size of 1.97 Mb. Using genetic mapping of 1,427 markers in B. rapa, ten pseudo chromosomes that included 90% of the assembly were produced. A total of 41,174 protein-coding genes in the B. rapa genome were modeled, and the genome was found to have undergone genome triplication.

The Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii) is a native of the high mountain steppes and semi-desert areas of the Tibetan plateau. It is a medium sized antelope that displays both migratory and herd behavior. Of interest, it is the only member of the genus Pantholops. The Tibetan antelope are listed as an endangered species, which is due to commercial poaching for their fine underwool, competition with local domesticated herds, and commercial development of their range land.The genome of the Tibetan antelope was sequenced using Illumina GA sequencing technology. Genome assembly and annotation was also completed. The data here can be used for understanding the unique adaptations this animal has for surviving in its extreme high-altitude and as a model for investigating specific genetic mechanisms and the biology of other ruminant species.

Here we present genomic data for the domestic cucumber (Cucumis sativus var. sativus L.). The cucumber is a member of the Cucurbitaceae or cucurbit family, a family of great agricultural and horticultural importance that also includes species such as melons, gourds and squashes. A biologically interesting as well as an economically relevant species, it is used as a model system for plant sex determination and vascular biology studies.The domestic cucumber has seven pairs of chromosomes and a haploid genome of 367 Mb, a smaller genome for the Cucurbitaceae family. The genome was sequenced and assembled with N50 contig and scaffold sizes of 19.8 Kb and 1.14 Mb, respectively. Using the genetic map, 72.8% of the assembled sequences were anchored onto the 7 chromosomes. A total of 26,682 genes were predicted in the current cucumber genome.