P30914 LRG Newsletter December 2014_FA

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Updates from the Research Networks
Rumen Microbial
Genomics Network
The Rumen Microbial Genomics Network (RMG) provides a forum for global collaboration of researchers using
microbial genomics approaches to develop methane mitigation and rumen adaptation technologies. The Network
held its last meeting as a joint Ruminomics/RMG/ECO-‑FCE workshop on 15 June 2014 ahead of the main Rowett-
INRA gut microbiology conference. This was a hugely successful conference with the number of sessions being so
large that a change of room was required at the last minute to accommodate all participants. This illustrates the
importance of rumen microbiology to the global agricultural challenges.
The Hungate 1000
The Hungate1000 (Principal Investigator:
Bill Kelly, eeks to
provide genome sequence information for
rumen microbes along with information
on their metabolic potential and functional
role. The project has generated 251 genome
sequences from cultures (238 bacteria, 5
methanogens and 7 bacteriophage), and
sequences of ~670,000 individual genes. All
data is publically available at
The Fungal 1000 project
The Fungi1000 Project is a collaborative
effort among Joey Spatafora, Jason Stajich,
Igor Grigoriev, and the JGI. As the name of
the project implies their goal is analogous to
the Hungate1000, to sequence 1000 fungal
genomes. This is a great opportunity for all
of us. If you have one or more fungal isolates
and can extract sufficient high quality DNA
you are encouraged to provide samples for
sequencing. To do this visit the JGI fungal
site at
in the top left hand corner of the
page you will see “Nominate New Species”.
We look forward to your contributions.
Global Rumen Census
The Global Rumen Census (Principal
Investigator: Gemma Henderson,
has determined
the composition of the rumen microbial
community across a wide range of countries,
animal species and diets, providing reference
information on microbe prevalence and
abundance. This is a culture-independent
study based on sequencing ribosomal
RNA. Sequencing is now complete in this
project and the data is being shared with the
collaborators and prepared for publication.
The RMG network has gone 21st century! Follow us on: For more information about the
RMG network please contact
Sharon Huws