Abstract
The genome of the japonica subspecies of rice was sequenced and assembled by whole-genome shotgun sequencing. The assembled sequence covers 93% of the 420-megabase genome. Gene predictions on the assembled sequence suggest that the genome contains 32,000 to 50,000 genes. Homologs of 98% of the known maize, wheat, and barley proteins are found in rice. Synteny and gene homology between rice and the other cereal genomes are extensive, whereas synteny with Thale cress Arabidopsis thaliana, a model dicot, is limited. Assignment of candidate rice orthologs to A. thaliana genes is possible in many cases. The rice genome sequence provides a foundation for the improvement of cereals, one of mankind's most important crops.