Brazilian Genome Sequencing Projects: State of the Art

This review covers all Brazilian Genome, EST and Metagenome Projects, Sequencing Networks' history and structure, and patents related to Brazilian Genome Projects, beginning with the first genome sequenced in this country, i.e. the 9a5c strain of Xylella fastidiosa CVC, up till the recently sequenced 1002 strain of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, which was done with a mixed strategy that included both traditional Sanger methodology and Avant Garde 454 Life Sciences pyrosequencing technology. Almost 90% of all genomic research that has been done in Latin America is a product of Brazil's effort to support and stimulate OMICs in our country. Consequently, we gave special attention to patents registered by Brazilian genome networks and/or Brazilian scientists involved in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, EST, and metagenome projects, as well as in the development of bioinformatics software and techniques.