Siberian Federal University

One of the main scientific objectives of the project is the full genome sequencing Siberian larch and Siberian cedar pine — main conifer species boreal forests of Siberia, basic forest reserve in Russia. Conifers genomes are unique in size (4–7 times more than the human genome) and very difficult to learn. Innovative approaches will be developed in the new SFU laboratory by a leading scientist Dr. Konstantin V. Krutovsky. His specialization is Forest genomics, population genetics, conservation genetics. To date SFU established World-class laboratory facilities which will be upgraded due to the new Mega-grant.

The main goal of the proposed project is to create a new, competitive, modern, dynamic, and well-equipped Laboratory of Genome Research, integrated in the scientific as well as in the educational infrastructure of the Siberian Federal University (SibFU) with the full capability of carrying modern scientific research, including the proposed in this project complete sequencing, comparative analysis, and annotation of the main forest-forming conifer species in Russia, Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Siberian stone pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour.), and their most dangerous pathogens, fungus Armillaria mellea s. l. and root rot Heterobasidion annosum s. l. that cause catastrophic mortalities in Siberian and Far East boreal forests.