SOW - Lentil Genome Sequencing.pdf

Statement of Work (SOW) Project: Lentil Genome Sequencing

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.0 Scope of Work: The USDA-ARS St. Paul, Minnesota location is requesting a quote for services to sequence several Lens culinaris cultivar genomes in preparation for a variety of lentil studies. These studies will include bioinformatic assessment of the assembled genomes for genes and regions of interest, along with transformation with foreign DNA and CRISPR/Cas9-guided and base editing of the identified regions.

2.0 Background: The Plant Science Research Unit, located in St. Paul, MN, of the ARS-MWA, conducts research on important legumes including the crops soy and alfalfa, along with the model legume Medicago. While soy and alfalfa are two of the most economically impactful crops in the U.S., other legumes such as common bean, cowpea, and lentil are also important for human consumption in the U.S. and globally. Studying these plants is consequently necessary to improve our understanding of biology of these legumes and to develop more resilient to new stressors in a changing climate, including drought and disease resistances. To study and develop these features, a complete genome sequence is required: the DNA sequence provides a blueprint with which bioinformatic processes can be performed to identify candidate genes or regions associated with the investigated traits. In addition, the whole genome sequence is often required for direct experimentation in the laboratory. A mostly complete genome scaffold is available for one lentil cultivar but not for other cultivars of interest. Therefore, we wish to sequence several diverse lentil genomes to obtain a better understanding of the plant’s genetics.

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

3.0 Technical Requirements/Tasks: The following specifications are required for this sequencing contract: in-house DNA extraction service suitable for plant tissue; in-house genomic DNA library preparation; long-read (>10 kb)/third generation sequencing format (e.g., PacBio or Nanopore technologies), and high genome sequencing coverage (>50X) for de novo assembly. In addition, the contractor would ideally be able to sequence several lentil cultivar genomes.

4.0 Government Furnished: Not applicable.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule: Data generated from this contract should be delivered to the following: USDA-ARS, Plant Science Research Unit, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, 411 Borlaug Hall., St. Paul, MN 55108.

6.0 Travel: Not applicable.

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel: Not applicable.

8.0 Security Requirements: Not applicable

9.0 Data Rights: Not applicable.

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards: Not applicable