The Genomics for Australian Plants (GAP) framework initiative – developing genomic resources for understanding the evolution and conservation of the Australian flora

The generation and analysis of genome-scale data – genomics – is driving a rapid increase in plant biodiversity knowledge. However, the speed and complexity of technological advance in genomics presents challenges for the widescale use of genomics in evolutionary and conservation biology. We introduce and describe a national-scale collaboration conceived to build genomic resources and capability for understanding the Australian flora: the Genomics for Australian Plants (GAP) Framework Initiative. We outline (a) the history of the project including the collaborative framework, partners and funding; (b) GAP principles such as rigour in design, sample verification and documentation, data management and data accessibility; and (c) the structure of the consortium and the four associated activity streams (reference genomes, phylogenomics, conservation genomics and training), with the rationale and aims for each of these. We show, through discussion of successes and challenges, the value of this multi-institutional consortium approach and the enablers, such as well-curated collections and national collaborative research infrastructure, all of which have led to a substantial increase in capacity and delivery of biodiversity knowledge outcomes.

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Publication Details

Journal
Australian Systematic Botany
Published
2025-05-06
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1071/sb24022
Citations
6
Primary Topic
Invertebrate Taxonomy and Ecology
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
18.16
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article

The Genomics for Australian Plants (GAP) framework initiative – developing genomic resources for understanding the evolution and conservation of the Australian flora

Ilia J. Leitch, Linda Broadhurst, Gillian K. Brown, Alexander N. Schmidt‐Lebuhn et al.
6 citations
Australian Systematic Botany
Invertebrate Taxonomy and Ecology
18.16
article

The Genomics for Australian Plants (GAP) framework initiative – developing genomic resources for understanding the evolution and conservation of the Australian flora

Ilia J. Leitch, Linda Broadhurst, Gillian K. Brown, Alexander N. Schmidt‐Lebuhn, William J. Baker, Ziad Al Bkhetan, Katharina Nargar, Margaret Byrne, Timothy Hammer, Félix Forest, Ashley Jones, Trevor Craig Wilson, Scott Ferguson, Oliver Berry, Michelle Waycott, Rachel Maria Binks, Mabel Lum, Hervé Sauquet, Richard J. Edwards, Daniel J. Murphy, Gareth D. Holmes, Kelly Anne Shepherd, David J. Cantrill, Matthew D. Barrett, Jason G. Bragg, Theodore R. Allnutt, Anna Syme, Paul Kersey, Jeremy J. Bruhl, Rose L. Andrew, Graham J.W. King, Lars Nauheimer, Johan Gustafsson, Lalita Simpson, Olivier Maurin, Darren M. Crayn, Jacqueline Batley, Elizabeth A. James, Todd G. B. McLay, Chris Jackson
article en
6 citations

Abstract

The generation and analysis of genome-scale data – genomics – is driving a rapid increase in plant biodiversity knowledge. However, the speed and complexity of technological advance in genomics presents challenges for the widescale use of genomics in evolutionary and conservation biology. We introduce and describe a national-scale collaboration conceived to build genomic resources and capability for understanding the Australian flora: the Genomics for Australian Plants (GAP) Framework Initiative. We outline (a) the history of the project including the collaborative framework, partners and funding; (b) GAP principles such as rigour in design, sample verification and documentation, data management and data accessibility; and (c) the structure of the consortium and the four associated activity streams (reference genomes, phylogenomics, conservation genomics and training), with the rationale and aims for each of these. We show, through discussion of successes and challenges, the value of this multi-institutional consortium approach and the enablers, such as well-curated collections and national collaborative research infrastructure, all of which have led to a substantial increase in capacity and delivery of biodiversity knowledge outcomes.

Australian Systematic BotanyVol. 38(3)
University of Technology Sydney (AU), Australian National University (AU), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (AU), Meise Botanic Garden (BE), Australian Institute of Marine Science (AU), The University of Melbourne (AU), The University of Western Australia (AU), Aarhus University (DK), Parks Victoria (AU), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (GB), Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (AU), Ocean Institute (US), UNSW Sydney (AU), Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (AU), State Herbarium of South Australia (AU), Royal Botanic Garden Sydney (AU), Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (AU), Environmental Earth Sciences (AU), The University of Adelaide (AU), Southern Cross University (AU), James Cook University (AU), University of New England (AU)
Openalex Percentile: Top 1%
Invertebrate Taxonomy and Ecology
18.16
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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