Avocado Genome Paper Published in G3

Feb 15, 2023·
Edwin Solares
Edwin Solares
· 1 min read
blog

Our paper “Insights into the domestication of avocado and potential genetic contributors to heterodichogamy” was published in G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics.

Key Achievement

Created first comprehensive reference genome for Gwen avocado cultivar with:

  • N50 of 3.37 megabases
  • BUSCO score of 91%
  • 12 pseudo-chromosomes containing 49,450 genes

Key Finding

The commercially dominant Hass avocado variety originated from Guatemalan ancestry, with evidence for three separate domestication events over 1 million years ago.

Media Coverage

  • SDSC News: “Avocado Genome is at the Center of New Study”
  • UC San Diego Today: University-wide feature
  • HPCwire: “SDSC Supports Breakthrough Study Revealing Gwen Avocado’s Genomic Diversity”
Publication Research Genomics
Edwin Solares
Authors
Edwin Solares (he/him)
Executive Director, ESB AI Lab Corporation
Executive Director of ESB AI Lab Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing research in AI, machine learning, computer vision, and genomics. Previously a Lecturer at UC San Diego. My research harnesses AI and bioinformatics for food security and species conservation. Published in Nature Plants, PNAS, Genome Research, and G3 (h-index: 7).