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Threats to global biodiversity are increasingly recognised by scientists and the public as a critical challenge. Molecular sequencing technologies offer means to catalogue, explore, and monitor the richness and biogeography of life on Earth. However, exploiting their full potential requires tools that connect biodiversity infrastructures and resources. As a research infrastructure developing services and technical solutions that help integrate and coordinate life science resources across Europe, ELIXIR is a key player. To identify opportunities, highlight priorities, and aid strategic thinking, here we survey approaches by which molecular technologies help inform understanding of biodiversity. We detail example use cases to highlight how DNA sequencing is: resolving taxonomic issues; Increasing knowledge of marine biodiversity; helping understand how agriculture and biodiversity are critically linked; and playing an essential role in ecological studies. Together with examples of national biodiversity programmes, the use cases show where progress is being made but also highlight common challenges and opportunities for future enhancement of underlying technologies and services that connect molecular and wider biodiversity domains. Based on emerging themes, we propose key recommendations to guide future funding for biodiversity research: biodiversity and bioinformatic infrastructures need to collaborate closely and strategically; taxonomic efforts need to be aligned and harmonised across domains; metadata needs to be standardised and common data management approaches widely adopted; current approaches need to be scaled up dramatically to address the anticipated explosion of molecular data; bioinformatics support for biodiversity research needs to be enabled and sustained; training for end users of biodiversity research infrastructures needs to be prioritised; and community initiatives need to be proactive and focused on enabling solutions. For sequencing data to delive

Enabling data reuse and knowledge discovery is increasingly critical in modern science, and requires an effort towards standardising data publication practices. This is particularly challenging in the plant phenotyping domain, due to its complexity and heterogeneity. We have produced the MIAPPE 1.1 release, which enhances the existing MIAPPE standard in coverage, to support perennial plants, in structure, through an explicit data model, and in clarity, through definitions and examples. We evaluated MIAPPE 1.1 by using it to express several heterogeneous phenotyping experiments in a range of different formats, to demonstrate its applicability and the interoperability between the various implementations. Furthermore, the extended coverage is demonstrated by the fact that one of the datasets could not have been described under MIAPPE 1.0. MIAPPE 1.1 marks a major step towards enabling plant phenotyping data reusability, thanks to its extended coverage, and especially the formalisation of its data model, which facilitates its implementation in different formats. Community feedback has been critical to this development, and will be a key part of ensuring adoption of the standard.

The grapevine reference genome was published by Jaillon et al. [1]. The sequence for the first version of the genome, called the 8X version, was obtained using a whole genome shotgun strategy and the Sanger sequencing technology and was assembled from reads representing 8X coverage. Soon after, the assembly was improved through the addition of 4X of additional coverage, including more Bacterial Artificial Chromosome end sequences that greatly improved the scaffolding of the sequence contigs [2], [3]. The corresponding scaffolds and raw sequences were deposited in European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) archives (FN594950-FN597014, 2065 entries, release 102). A new chromosome assembly was also developed, based on an improved version of the maps used for the 8X genome version [2], [3], [4], [5] and was also archived at EMBL (FN597015-FN597047, 33 entries, release 102): it is referenced in the grapevine community as the 12X.v0 version of the grapevine reference genome. The chromosome sequence scaffolding of this version still necessitated improvements as around 9% of the sequence was not anchored to chromosomes (with the corresponding scaffolds stacked in the “Unknown” chromosome) and 3.5% of the sequence could be assigned to a chromosome but without certain placement and orientation within the chromosome (stacked in additional “random” chromosomes).

The Eurasian grapevine (Vitis vinifera) has long been important for wine production as well as being a food source. Despite being clonally propagated, modern cultivars exhibit great morphological and genetic diversity, with thousands of varieties described in historic and contemporaneous records. Through historical accounts, some varieties can be traced to the Middle Ages, but the genetic relationships between ancient and modern vines remain unknown. We present target-enriched genome-wide sequencing data from 28 archaeological grape seeds dating to the Iron Age, Roman era and medieval period. When compared with domesticated and wild accessions, we found that the archaeological samples were closely related to western European cultivars used for winemaking today. We identified seeds with identical genetic signatures present at different Roman sites, as well as seeds sharing parent-offspring relationships with varieties grown today. Furthermore, we discovered that one seed dated to ~1100 CE was a genetic match to 'Savagnin Blanc', providing evidence for 900 years of uninterrupted vegetative propagation.

The Eurasian grapevine (Vitis vinifera) has long been important for wine production as well as being a food source. Despite being clonally propagated, modern cultivars exhibit great morphological and genetic diversity, with thousands of varieties described in historic and contemporaneous records. Through historical accounts, some varieties can be traced to the Middle Ages, but the genetic relationships between ancient and modern vines remain unknown. We present target-enriched genome-wide sequencing data from 28 archaeological grape seeds dating to the Iron Age, Roman era and medieval period. When compared with domesticated and wild accessions, we found that the archaeological samples were closely related to western European cultivars used for winemaking today. We identified seeds with identical genetic signatures present at different Roman sites, as well as seeds sharing parent–offspring relationships with varieties grown today. Furthermore, we discovered that one seed dated to ~1100 CE was a genetic match to ‘Savagnin Blanc’, providing evidence for 900 years of uninterrupted vegetative propagation.

The Eurasian grapevine (Vitis vinifera) has long been important for wine production as well as being a food source. Despite being clonally propagated, modern cultivars exhibit great morphological and genetic diversity, with thousands of varieties described in historic and contemporaneous records. Through historical accounts, some varieties can be traced to the Middle Ages, but the genetic relationships between ancient and modern vines remain unknown. We present target-enriched genome-wide sequencing data from 28 archaeological grape seeds dating to the Iron Age, Roman era and medieval period. When compared with domesticated and wild accessions, we found that the archaeological samples were closely related to western European cultivars used for winemaking today. We identified seeds with identical genetic signatures present at different Roman sites, as well as seeds sharing parent-offspring relationships with varieties grown today. Furthermore, we discovered that one seed dated to ~1100 CE was a genetic match to 'Savagnin Blanc', providing evidence for 900 years of uninterrupted vegetative propagation.

Wheat is one of the major sources of food for much of the world. However, because bread wheat's genome is a large hybrid mix of three separate subgenomes, it has been difficult to produce a high-quality reference sequence. Using recent advances in sequencing, the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium presents an annotated reference genome with a detailed analysis of gene content among subgenomes and the structural organization for all the chromosomes. Examples of quantitative trait mapping and CRISPR-based genome modification show the potential for using this genome in agricultural research and breeding. Ramírez-González et al. exploited the fruits of this endeavor to identify tissue-specific biased gene expression and coexpression networks during development and exposure to stress. These resources will accelerate our understanding of the genetic basis of bread wheat.

Plant Phenotyping data management following the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Resusable) is highly challenging because of its heterogenity. Thus, simply integrating and consolidating data within a single dataset like a phenotyping network is already a complicated task which is even more complex when trying to link different datasets together. To adress this problem, the Minimal Information About Plant Phenotyping Experiment standard construction has been initiated four years ago, with the help of experts from European infrastructures and institutes like Elixir, Emphasis, INRA, WUR, iBet, IPK, EBI and IPG PAS. It adresses the need of data publication and reuse through a checklist that formalize and document the minimal metadata necessary to ensure long term FAIRness of field or greenhouse datasets, including high througputs phenotyping ones. This list has been implemented in several databases like GnpIS or eDale, in a file format, ISA Tab, in a web service, the Breeding API and an RDF implementation is under construction. We will review those implementations, show its current adoption state and detail the plans for the future evolutions of the standard.

Plant Phenotyping data management following the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Resusable) is highly challenging because of its heterogenity. Thus, simply integrating and consolidating data within a single dataset like a phenotyping network is already a complicated task which is even more complex when trying to link different datasets together. To adress this problem, the Minimal Information About Plant Phenotyping Experiment standard construction has been initiated four years ago, with the help of experts from European infrastructures and institutes like Elixir, Emphasis, INRA, WUR, iBet, IPK, EBI and IPG PAS. It adresses the need of data publication and reuse through a checklist that formalize and document the minimal metadata necessary to ensure long term FAIRness of field or greenhouse datasets, including high througputs phenotyping ones. This list has been implemented in several databases like GnpIS or eDale, in a file format, ISA Tab, in a web service, the Breeding API and an RDF implementation is under construction. We will review those implementations, show its current adoption state and detail the plans for the future evolutions of the standard.

Grapevine is a very important crop species that is mainly cultivated worldwide for fruits, wine and juice. Identification of the genetic bases of performance traits through association mapping studies requires a precise knowledge of the available diversity and how this diversity is structured and varies across the whole genome. An 18k SNP genotyping array was evaluated on a panel of Vitis vinifera cultivars and we obtained a data set with no missing values for a total of 10207 SNPs and 783 different genotypes. The average inter-SNP spacing was ~47 kbp, the mean minor allele frequency (MAF) was 0.23 and the genetic diversity in the sample was high (He = 0.32). Fourteen SNPs, chosen from those with the highest MAF values, were sufficient to identify each genotype in the sample. Parentage analysis revealed 118 full parentages and 490 parent-offspring duos, thus confirming the close pedigree relationships within the cultivated grapevine. Structure analyses also confirmed the main divisions due to an eastern-western gradient and human usage (table vs. wine). Using a multivariate approach, we refined the structure and identified a total of eight clusters. Both the genetic diversity (He, 0.26–0.32) and linkage disequilibrium (LD, 28.8–58.2 kbp) varied between clusters. Despite the short span LD, we also identified some non-recombining haplotype blocks that may complicate association mapping. Finally, we performed a genomewide association study that confirmed previous works and also identified new regions for important performance traits such as acidity. Taken together, all the results contribute to a better knowledge of the genetics of the cultivated grapevine

Viticulture, like other fields of agriculture, is currently facing important challenges that will be addressed only through sustained, dedicated and coordinated research. Although the methods used in biology have evolved tremendously in recent years and now involve the routine production of large data sets of varied nature, in many domains of study, including grapevine research, there is a need to improve the findability, accessibility, interoperability and reusability (FAIR-ness) of these data. Considering the heterogeneous nature of the data produced, the transnational nature of the scientific community and the experience gained elsewhere, we have formed an open working group, in the framework of the International Grapevine Genome Program (www.vitaceae.org), to construct a coordinated federation of information systems holding grapevine data distributed around the world, providing an integrated set of interfaces supporting advanced data modeling, rich semantic integration and the next generation of data mining tools. To achieve this goal, it will be critical to develop, implement and adopt appropriate standards for data annotation and formatting. The development of this system, the GrapeIS, linking genotypes to phenotypes, and scientific research to agronomical and oeneological data, should provide new insights into grape biology, and allow the development of new varieties to meet the challenges of biotic and abiotic stress, environmental change, and consumer demand.

BackgroundGrapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the most important fruit crops in the world and serves as a valuable model for fruit development in woody species. A major breakthrough in grapevine genomics was achieved in 2007 with the sequencing of the Vitis vinifera cv. PN40024 genome. Subsequently, data on structural and functional characterization of grape genes accumulated exponentially. To better exploit the results obtained by the international community, we think that a coordinated nomenclature for gene naming in species with sequenced genomes is essential. It will pave the way for the accumulation of functional data that will enable effective scientific discussion and discovery. The exploitation of data that were generated independently of the genome release is hampered by their heterogeneous nature and by often incompatible and decentralized storage. Classically, large amounts of data describing gene functions are only available in printed articles and therefore remain hardly accessible for automatic text mining. On the other hand, high throughput "Omics" data are typically stored in public repositories, but should be arranged in compendia to better contribute to the annotation and functional characterization of the genes.ResultsWith the objective of providing a high quality and highly accessible annotation of grapevine genes, the International Grapevine Genome Project (IGGP) commissioned an international Super-Nomenclature Committee for Grape Gene Annotation (sNCGGa) to coordinate the effort of experts to annotate the grapevine genes. The goal of the committee is to provide a standard nomenclature for locus identifiers and to define conventions for a gene naming system in this paper.ConclusionsLearning from similar initiatives in other plant species such as Arabidopsis, rice and tomato, a versatile nomenclature system has been developed in anticipation of future genomic developments and annotation issues. The sNCGGa's first outreach to the grape communi

BackgroundGrapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the most important fruit crops in the world and serves as a valuable model for fruit development in woody species. A major breakthrough in grapevine genomics was achieved in 2007 with the sequencing of the Vitis vinifera cv. PN40024 genome. Subsequently, data on structural and functional characterization of grape genes accumulated exponentially. To better exploit the results obtained by the international community, we think that a coordinated nomenclature for gene naming in species with sequenced genomes is essential. It will pave the way for the accumulation of functional data that will enable effective scientific discussion and discovery. The exploitation of data that were generated independently of the genome release is hampered by their heterogeneous nature and by often incompatible and decentralized storage. Classically, large amounts of data describing gene functions are only available in printed articles and therefore remain hardly accessible for automatic text mining. On the other hand, high throughput "Omics" data are typically stored in public repositories, but should be arranged in compendia to better contribute to the annotation and functional characterization of the genes.ResultsWith the objective of providing a high quality and highly accessible annotation of grapevine genes, the International Grapevine Genome Project (IGGP) commissioned an international Super-Nomenclature Committee for Grape Gene Annotation (sNCGGa) to coordinate the effort of experts to annotate the grapevine genes. The goal of the committee is to provide a standard nomenclature for locus identifiers and to define conventions for a gene naming system in this paper.ConclusionsLearning from similar initiatives in other plant species such as Arabidopsis, rice and tomato, a versatile nomenclature system has been developed in anticipation of future genomic developments and annotation issues. The sNCGGa's first outreach to the grape communi

A major breakthrough in grapevine genomics was achieved in 2007 with the sequencing of the Vitis vinifera cv. PN40024 genome. Subsequently, invaluable data related to the structural and functional characterization of the genes accumulated exponentially. Unfortunately, part of this data is episodic by nature or was acquired prior to the genome release. Furthermore, because of heterogeneous sources these data were greatly under-exploited with issues like incompatibility of data but also decentralized storage making retrieval more difficult. Classically, a large amount of useful data describing gene functions only appears in printed articles that describe the experiments carried out to answer the initial question of the publishing research team without being deposited in a common database, then remaining inaccessible for automatic data mining. High throughput “omics” data are typically stored in public repositories, but generally remain confined to their initial aim. With the objective of providing a high quality and highly accessible annotation of the grapevine genes, the International Grapevine Genome Project (IGGP) commissioned an international Supernomenclature Committee for Grape Gene Annotation to coordinate the expert-annotation effort of the grapevine genes. The goal of the committee is to provide a standard nomenclature for locus identifiers and to define the convention for the gene naming system. This system will be implemented on a new version of grapevine annotation that is being developed on an improved version of the grapevine genome chromosome assembly.

[Background] Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the most important fruit crops in the world and serves as a valuable model for fruit development in woody species. A major breakthrough in grapevine genomics was achieved in 2007 with the sequencing of the Vitis vinifera cv. PN40024 genome. Subsequently, data on structural and functional characterization of grape genes accumulated exponentially. To better exploit the results obtained by the international community, we think that a coordinated nomenclature for gene naming in species with sequenced genomes is essential. It will pave the way for the accumulation of functional data that will enable effective scientific discussion and discovery. The exploitation of data that were generated independently of the genome release is hampered by their heterogeneous nature and by often incompatible and decentralized storage. Classically, large amounts of data describing gene functions are only available in printed articles and therefore remain hardly accessible for automatic text mining. On the other hand, high throughput >Omics> data are typically stored in public repositories, but should be arranged in compendia to better contribute to the annotation and functional characterization of the genes., [Results] With the objective of providing a high quality and highly accessible annotation of grapevine genes, the International Grapevine Genome Project (IGGP) commissioned an international Super-Nomenclature Committee for Grape Gene Annotation (sNCGGa) to coordinate the effort of experts to annotate the grapevine genes. The goal of the committee is to provide a standard nomenclature for locus identifiers and to define conventions for a gene naming system in this paper., [Conclusions] Learning from similar initiatives in other plant species such as Arabidopsis, rice and tomato, a versatile nomenclature system has been developed in anticipation of future genomic developments and annotation issues. The sNCGGa's first outreach to the grape community has been focused on implementing recommended guidelines for the expert annotators by: (i) providing a common annotation platform that enables community-based gene curation, (ii) developing a gene nomenclature scheme reflecting the biological features of gene products that is consistent with that used in other organisms in order to facilitate comparative analyses. © 2014 Grimplet et al.

A major breakthrough in grapevine genomics was achi eved in 2007 with the sequencing of the Vitis vinifera cv. PN40024 genome. Subsequently, invaluable data relat ed to the structural and functional characterization of the g enes accumulated exponentially. Unfortunately, data that were acquired prior to the genome release are largely under- exploited. Furthermore, because of heterogeneous so urces these data remain often incompatible but also decentralized storage is maki ng retrieval more difficult. Classically, a large amount of useful data describing gene functio ns only appeared in printed articles describing experiments carried out to answer specif ic questions. These data remain inaccessible for automatic text mining. High throug hput “omics” data are typically stored in public repositories, but generally are confined to their initial aim. With the objective of providing a high quality and highly accessible anno tation of grapevine genes, the International Grapevine Genome Project (IGGP) commi ssioned an international Super- nomenclature Committee for Grape Gene Annotation to coordinate the expert-annotation effort of the grapevine genes. The goal of the comm ittee is to provide a standard nomenclature for locus identifiers and to define co nventions for a gene naming system. Using previous experience acquired on similar initi atives for other plant species such as Arabidopsis , rice and tomato, a versatile system was implement ed anticipating on future developments and issues. Specific emphasis has focu sed on directions for the expert annotators by: (i) providing a clearly-identified c ommon annotation platform that also enables community-based gene curation (ii) emphasiz ing a gene naming scheme reflecting the biological features of gene products, (iii) and using a genetic ontology consistent with other organisms to facilitate evolutionary comparis on of genes.

With the release of the grapevine genome sequence and with the increasing affordability of high throughput analysis tools, an ever increasing wealth of grapevine bioinformatics resources have been developed over the last decade in highly diverse biological fields. The grapevine community can now access extensive databases containing information relative to molecular markers, genetic maps, the genome sequence and its annotation, gene expression, proteins and metabolites. The present paper presents how to access these resources and provides some review of their contents and use. The next challenge is the further development of systems biology for grapevine; regarding this aspect, we discuss the different tools currently available for the integration of different types of data.