China launches the IAS1000 project

QIAN Wan-qiang, WAN Fang-hao

1 Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, P.R.China

2 Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, P.R.China

1. IAS1000 Project

The rapid development of omics provides new technologies and methodologies for the study of invasion biology.Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen (CAAS-AGIS)and Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS-IPP) initiated the “IAS1000 project” (A genome project of 1000 invasive alien species)and established the “IAS1000 alliance” in Shenzhen on November 14, 2018.Viadeep-mining of omics data,the project aims for better understanding the ecological processes and molecular mechanisms of biological invasion, and developing new technologies and products for prevention and management of invasive alien species. Up to now, there have been more than 40 research institutes,universities and enterprises participating in this project,forming an omics team with multi-disciplinary members.

The main tasks of “IAS1000 project” include: (i) building a global collaboration platform for an in-depth research on molecular mechanisms of invasiveness; (ii) developing new technologies and products for prevention and control of invasive alien species, including RNA interference, gene editing, molecular pesticides with speciflc target carried by new physical/chemical materials, intelligent recognition of molecular odor, utilization of molecule-induced immunity,creation of new vaccines, and the restorer of soil ecological network; (iii) cultivating new elite talents in the integrated subjects encompassing omics, invasion biology, entomology and botany, etc.

2. First list of species for genome sequencing in the framework of lAS1000

The “IAS1000 alliance” published the flrst list, including 25 genomes of important invasive species ranging from invasive animals and weeds, agricultural pests to resource animals. The list includes 11 insect species, seven plant species, two mollusk species, two agricultural pests, two annelid worm species, and one species of nematode(Table 1). For some species, genome sequencing will be completed in a short time.

Acknowledgements

The fund is funded by the National Key Research and Development Plan of China (2016YFC1200600) and the Fundamental Research Funds for Central Non-proflt Scientiflc Institution (Y2018LM22).

Table 1 First list of important species in agriculture for genome sequencing