A Review of Genome Sequencing in the Largest Cereal Genome, Triticum aestivum L

Sequencing whole plant genomes has advanced rapidly with the development of next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies and bioinformatics, enabling the study of large and complex genomes such as that of the hexaploid cereal, Triticum aestivum L. (bread wheat). Despite advances, however, confounding factors such as repetitive elements and low polymorphism still hinder sequencing attempts. Isolation techniques such as sequencing of diploid progenitors and chromosome separation through flow cytometry have showed promise in reducing the size of the genome for sequencing. In this review we discuss the advances and stumbling blocks that have been encountered on the road toward the complete hexaploid wheat genome sequence. We also discuss the latest complimentary techniques and the progression of accumulation of sequence data relevant to wheat genome research.