The SorghumBase team is excited to announce the release of SorghumBase 8.0, an enhanced resource for sorghum genomics data, designed to support research and collaboration within the sorghum community. SorghumBase, launched in 2021 with USDA-ARS funding, serves as a comprehensive database for sorghum genetics, providing tools and data for sorghum genome analysis, as well as resources for community engagement and knowledge sharing.
What’s New in SorghumBase 8.0?
- Expanded Genome Data
Release 8.0 introduces 46 new sorghum breeding lines, including 44 Sorghum bicolor ssp. bicolor and 2 S. bicolor ssp. drummondii varieties with expired Plant Variety Protection (PVP) certificates, sequenced by Dr. Todd Michael’s team at the Salk Institute. These new entries bring SorghumBase to a total of 72 sorghum genome assemblies.
Additionally, SorghumBase now contains 66,928 pan-genes derived from annotations across previous releases, which are now mapped to the new ex-PVP accessions, enhancing comparative genomic insights across sorghum lines.
- Rich Genetic Variation Data
With contributions from research leaders such as Dr. Nadia Shakoor, Dr. John Lovell, and Dr. Geoff Morris, the Global Sorghum Initiative dataset, funded by the Gates Foundation, is now available in SorghumBase. This expansive dataset includes 36.1 million SNPs (or single nucleotide polymorphisms) across 940 resequenced genomes mapped to the JGI_V5.1 assembly, supporting targeted genetic studies. Further, we incorporated 23 million new variants: 18.7 million SNPs and indels obtained from whole-genome sequencing or WGS of 365 BAP accessions by Dr. Steve Kresovich’s group, as well as 2,327 landraces sampled with over 400,000 SNPs by Dr. Geoff Morris group. - Standardized Identifier Integration
To improve data harmonization, SorghumBase now features standardized germplasm and SNP identifiers (e.g., PI, IS numbers, rsIDs), as recommended by curators of major repositories like GRIN and ICRISAT. These identifiers support consistent data referencing and allow researchers to track variant effects across studies efficiently. - Enhanced Database and Searchable Content
The database now includes 73 new sorghum publications, with 13 highlighted articles offering deeper insight into recent findings. A new user-friendly interface allows users to search by publication details, project funding, and associated data. The updated projects page maps 305 sorghum-funded projects, making it easy for researchers to explore active initiatives and collaborate within the community. - Reorganized Gene and Germplasm Tabs
Loss-of-function (LOF) mutations are now displayed by variant type, population, and zygosity, making it easier to identify functional gene disruptions across different accessions.
Get Involved and Stay Updated
SorghumBase offers a refreshed user guide, regular updates on community events, and training resources for researchers. Users can provide feedback, request training, or propose collaborations via the contact form. SorghumBase continues to add new resources, events, and webinars relevant to sorghum research, keeping the community connected and informed.
Browse the release notes for SorghumBase 8.0 here for details on these exciting updates.