The Rubber Tree Genome

This book presents the first comprehensive compilation of genome research on the Hevea brasiliensis rubber tree. The genomes of Hevea tree clones (cultivars) are described by three major international groups. Chapters on omics-driven investigations address a broad range of topics including genome annotation and utilisation, transcriptome and gene family analysis, genetic mapping, metabolic pathways in latex and molecular breeding. Additionally, an overview of fundamental rubber biology, especially on laticifers, provides a historical background that is relevant to rubber genome analysis. The book concludes with several perspectives on the future needs of rubber investigations and prospects of rubber genomics. Given the scope of topics, this book will appeal to researchers and university students working in genomics and biotechnology of the rubber tree, and to rubber breeders with an interest in non-conventional approaches to trait analysis, selection and breeding.

Dr. Minami Matsui is the Director of the Synthetic Genomics Research Group at the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science. His research focuses on plant genomics using Arabidopsis, sorghum and the rubber tree. He applied basic technology such as Cap Analysis Gene Expression (CAGE) for transcriptome analysis of the rubber tree, especially on genes involved in latex rubber biosynthesis. His group is currently developing several new bioresources and technologies, such as FOX (Full-length cDNA overexpressing) Arabidopsis mutant lines to elucidate gene functions.  His group also developed gDB-SEQ as a new technology to identify genome-wide transcription factor binding sites, especially for plants where using ChIP-Seq is difficult or infeasible. Since RIKEN became an Associate Member of the International Rubber Research and Development Board (IRRDB) in 2018, he has represented Japan for rubber genome activities and is a member of the Molecular Biology and Physiology Specialist Group.