Creating the Drosophila santomea Genetic Reference Panel

A genetic reference panel is a powerful tool for analyzing how variations in underlying genes give rise to phenotypic traits in an organism. By aligning sequenced genome assemblies, genetic reference panels allow for in-depth analysis of gene function. Previous literature has described the creation of genetic reference panels for the species <em>Drosophila melanogaster</em>, a ubiquitous, widely studied model organism used for genetics research. However, no genetic reference panel currently exists for <em>Drosophila santomea, </em>a <em>melanogaster</em> sister species native to the Sao Tome islands off the coast of Africa. We use assembled and aligned <em>Drosophila santomea</em> genomes to create the <em>Drosophila santomea</em> genetic reference panel. This genetic reference panel consists of fully sequenced, isolated lines of <em>D. santomea</em> populations derived from natural populations and inbred for at least 20 generations, ensuring genetic uniformity among individuals within each population. The <em>Drosophila santomea</em> genetic reference panel aims to serve as a resource for the analysis of population genomic variation and gene function and can provide broader insights into the evolutionary processes that cause genetic divergence between <em>Drosophila</em> species.