Genome assembly and annotation for the North American mountain goat

The field of genomics is a rapidly developing field that offers many innovative insights into how living organisms function, adapt to their environment and evolve over time. Genomics studies genomes, i.e. complete sets of DNA present in every cell, and their functionality. In the proposed project I will refine the genome for the North American mountain goat that is currently in the final stages of completion. Mountain goats are unique alpine mammals, vulnerable to human disturbance, overharvesting and climate change. A quality reference genome is a requirement for subsequent genomic studies of population demography and adaptation. Following the assembly, I will annotate the genome, i.e. determine the location of coding and controlling regions of the sequence, genes and their predicted function. Genome annotation is essential for identifying the genetic adaptations an organism has to it’s environment, and consequently, it’s capacity to adapt to future changes.

Faculty Supervisor:

Aaron Shafer

Student:

Partner:

Université Lille1 - Sciences et Technologies

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

University:

Trent University

Program:

Globalink Research Award