Genomes of Nori

Abstract

Our research group at Saga University studies the genomes of seaweeds of the genus Pyropia. In this review, we describe our research in Japanese, focusing on the results we have published as research articles in the past. Because this is a rare opportunity to explain in Japanese, we decided to present some of the candid stories that we could not include in the publications. Firstly, we wrote about the importance of genomics from our point of view. Secondly, we explain the confusion in the taxonomy of the genus Pyropia. Thirdly, we present comparisons of chloroplast, mitochondrial and nuclear genomes among the varieties of Susabi-nori (Pyropia yezoensis ). Fourthly, we present what we have learned from the genome analysis of hybrid strains of Susabi-nori and Asakusa-nori (Pyropia tenera ). Fifthly, we review the transcriptome analysis of Pyropia species. Finally, we discuss future prospects for the breeding of Pyropia species.