The Persea Americana Genome Database supports avocado researchers by granting online access to comprehensive genomic and genetic data of avocado trees, encompassing assembled reference genomes, transcriptomes, and expression quantity information.
We warmly welcome data submissions from all researchers and strive to incorporate a broader spectrum of avocado species and diverse types of genomic and phenotypic data. Are you interested in contributing your data? Please contact us!
This website was originally generated by a project funded by Yunnan Province, "Research and Demonstration of Key Technologies for high-value Avocado Production in Yunnan Province", which is now basically completed. With support from Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, we are expanding our scope to cover a broader range of avocado related genomic resources:
- Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (support database development and maintenance)
- Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences (to provide high-quality avocado genome assembly data support)
- Zhejiang A & F University (Participating in database development and gateway)
People
- Chengjun Zhang - PI
- Yunqiang Yang - Resources and data available
- Siyi Ma - Data analysis and database development
- Zhenzhen Wu - Database gateway and maintenance
- Huadong Feng - Transcriptome analysis workflow designer
Drupal
The Persea Americana Genome Database uses Drupal, a development-oriented content management framework based on PHP.
Tripal
The Persea Americana Genome Database uses Tripal, an open-source community genomics website toolkit.
Our laboratory actively contributes to and develops Tripal modules, which are available under an open-source license.
Background of the research group
Our research group has independently developed RPGD (The Rhododendron Plant Genome Database), which integrates multiple omics data, provides a series of analysis and visualization tools, and provides an efficient platform for Rhododendron research. In addition, we also jointly developed R-loopAtlas with Tsinghua University, which is an important platform for R-loops research with prediction tools and data to help researchers better study R-loops comprehensive information.
Publication
Yang T, Cai Y, Huang T, et al. A telomere-to-telomere gap-free reference genome assembly of avocado provides useful resources for identifying genes related to fatty acid biosynthesis and disease resistance. Hortic Res. 2024;11(7):uhae119. Published 2024 Apr 22. doi:10.1093/hr/uhae119
Project Description
Avocado(Persea americana) has gained a place in the fruit market in recent years due to its rich nutritional value and unique cooking texture. It is gradually replacing some vegetables and fruits in the eyes of consumers because of its abundance of beneficial substances such as vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids. There are already some laboratories or teams that have conducted genome sequencing and assembly of avocados, but there is still few platform to store and manage the collected avocado genetic data and other omics data for researchers to share information.
Avocado is known as the "butter of the forest" and "cream fruit". Ripe avocado contains about 20% beneficial fatty acids, 6% carbohydrates, 2% protein, as well as vitamin precursors and antioxidants, such as carotenoids and vitamins E, C, B2, B12, B1, K, and D. Its mesocarp has an oil content as high as 25-30%, of which nearly 90% is monounsaturated oleic acid, palmitic acid, and linoleic acid . Its leaves and skin can aid digestion and cure coughs. The fruit is rich in nutrients and has high nutritional value. Several phytochemicals in it are associated with the prevention of cancer, age-related macular degeneration, and cardiovascular diseases . Guatemalans use the juice to stimulate hair growth, the peel to repel insects, and the seeds to treat diarrhea. The kernel has a high oil content, which can improve hypercholesterolemia and can also be used to treat hypertension, inflammation, and diabetes . After emulsification, it can be preserved for a long time. In addition to being edible, it can also be used as a high-grade cosmetic, a mechanical lubricant, and an emollient and ointment base in medicine. Some studies have shown that eating avocado every day may enhance the elasticity and firmness of facial skin in healthy women.
Through the collection and analysis of genome, transcriptome and other data, this project aims to actively build a molecular marker-assisted breeding system in cooperation with the local avocado industry to accelerate the selection and breeding of new and excellent avocado varieties. On the basis of introducing commercial avocado cultivars with good yield performance, good taste, long shelf life and potential from different regions and climatic zones around the world, Carry out screening and evaluation based on different climatic zones and soil characteristics, form a complete screening system and technical regulations, build the most complete avocado variety resource nursery, and build an improved seed breeding system for the development of avocado industry.
