Genomic sequence of Atlantic salmon sought

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 16 (UPI) -- An international team of researchers says it is one step closer to sequencing the genome of the economically important Atlantic salmon.

Researchers, funding agencies and industries from British Columbia, Chile and Norway formed the International Cooperation to Sequence the Atlantic Salmon Genome -- an organization usually referred to as "The Cooperation."

Organization officials said they are they are "well under way" on a multimillion dollar, multi-phased project that will produce a genome sequence that identifies and maps all of the genes in the Atlantic salmon genome and can act as a reference/guide sequence for the genomes of other salmonids, including Pacific salmon, rainbow trout and more distantly related fish such as smelt and pike.

Phase One of the project is expected to be complete in January.

"The Cooperation is gearing up for Phase Two which will result in a high definition and well-annotated genome using primarily next generation sequencing technologies. The Cooperation is seeking interested parties -- publicly or privately funded genome sequencing centers or public/private partnerships -- to undertake Phase two."

More information concerning Phase two is available online at www.genomebc.ca/partners/international-collaborators/.