To boldly go...where few scientists have gone before...

Intrepid genomics trekkers, Rajeev K Varshney and Gregory D May, take us on a voyage into the universe of plant genomics and next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS) technologies with a Special Issue of Briefings in Functional Genomics journal entitled ‘Next-generation sequencing technologies: opportunities and obligations in plant genomics'.

For those who have yet to be initiated into the NGS mission, next-generation sequencing comprises new technologies for rapidly determining DNA sequences, and deciphering complete genes and entire genomes, doing so much faster than technologies used in the last three decades. In other words, NGS propels plant genomics into warp drive.

The guest editors of this January 2012 edition have served long on the ‘starship' named GCP: Rajeev K Varshney is GCP's resident genomics expert and Leader for Theme 1 (Comparative and applied genomics), while Gregory D May has been a GCP Theme 1 researcher. Together they have compiled articles for this special issue which address current trends and applications along with opportunities and challenges in the use of NGS technologies in plant genomics research. Check out this issue's log for the full contents.

For further interstellar adventures in plant science, visit the full list of GCP publications.