Comparative genomics of symbiotic innovation in Chamaecrista mimosoides
This project performs whole genome sequencing of the legume species Chamaecrista mimosoides using Oxford Nanopore long reads. C. mimosoides is an emerging symbiosis model system belonging to the ancient Caesalpinioideae lineage of legumes. The data generated enabled comparative genomics analyses to elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of root nodule symbiosis and symbiosome formation in this genus. Insights from C. mimosoides reveals conserved and unique aspects of symbiotic signaling and development in relation to well-studied legume models. This nanopore sequencing data facilitated genome assembly, annotation, and evolutionary analyses to better understand legume genome evolution and plant-microbe symbioses.