Review: Wheat genomics comes of age

Due to its highly repetitive, polyploid genome, wheat genomics has lagged behind that of other cereals, but new tools promise to begin closing that gap.  Uauy reviews these new tools, which include access to full genomes of several wheat varieties, gene expression data from hundreds of publicly available RNA-sequencing datasets, next-generation sequencing enabled trait mapping, and genome editing approaches. He concludes with a call to action: “It is essential that we train the next generation of genomics-enabled crop researchers and breeders. This does not necessarily imply that a single individual be able to move seamlessly from the field to the computer; but rather that they be able to communicate effectively between disciplines and appreciate the potential of genomics and field-based research to complement each other.” Curr. Opin. Plant Biol. 10.1016/j.pbi.2017.01.007