Physical mapping of the wheat genome: A coordinated effort to lay the foundation for genome sequencing and develop tools for breeders

The International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC) was launched in 2005 with the aim of developing the tools and resources for sequencing the hexaploid wheat genome and providing breeders with state-of-the-art tools for improving wheat. The mid-term goals are to develop a physical map of the 21 Chromosomes of bread wheat cv. Chinese Spring to accelerate map-based cloning and develop new markers, increase our knowledge about wheat genome organization, and assess Sequencing technologies. In this framework. the feasibility of constructing the physical map using a chromosome-based approach has been evaluated through the development of the physical map of chromosome 3B. This article provides an update on the different projects developed within the IWGSC to reach these goals as well as a progress report oil the construction of the 3B physical map.