USING COMPARATIVE GENOMICS TO IDENTIFY GENES ASSOCIATED WITH SUCROSE PRODUCTION IN SUGARBEET

1. Obtain high quality whole genome sequences in cultivated beet types (sugarbeet, fodder beet, leaf beet, table beet) and wild beet relatives (Beta. vulgaris ssp. maritima) 2. Identify genes specific in sugarbeet by comparing genomic sequences of different beet types 3. Identify pathways of gene expression regulation related to sugar production in sugarbeet expression 4. Development of pan-genomic reference of Beta. vulgaris species.