The paper presents a high-quality reference genome and genetic map of Allium porrum, revealing pericentromeric recombination patterns and genomic relationships within the Allium genus.

The Plant Genome · Dec 1, 2025Peer-reviewedPlant Biology

Three novel genomes broaden the wild side of the Capsicum pangenome

Christina Papastolopoulou, Ronald Nieuwenhuis, Sven Warris, Linda V. Bakker, Jan C. van Haarst, Jan H. G. Cordewener, Thamara Hesselink, Hetty van den Broeck, W. van Dooijeweert, Hans de Jong, Julapark Chunwongse, Sara Diaz Trivino, Elio G. W. M. Schijlen, Dick de Ridder, Sandra Smit, Sander Peters

This paper presents three new Capsicum genomes, expands the pangenome framework, and identifies genetic diversity and gene loci relevant to capsaicinoid biosynthesis.

Plant Direct · Dec 1, 2025Peer-reviewedGenomics

Pollen sequencing reveals barriers and aberrant patterns of recombination in interspecific tomato hybrids

Roven Rommel Fuentes, Ronald Nieuwenhuis, Jihed Chouaref, Thamara Hesselink, W. van Dooijeweert, Hetty C. van den Broeck, Elio G. W. M. Schijlen, Henk J. Schouten, Yuling Bai, Paul F. Fransz, Maike E. Stam, Hans de Jong, Sara Diaz Trivino, Dick de Ridder, Aalt D. J. van Dijk, Sander Peters

This study uses pollen sequencing to analyze recombination patterns in tomato hybrids, identifying coldspots and their association with transposable elements and gene complexes, and proposes strategies to overcome recombination barriers.

PLoS Genetics · Jul 1, 2024Peer-reviewedGenomics

Genome and transcriptome architecture of allopolyploid okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

Ronald Nieuwenhuis, Thamara Hesselink, Hetty C. van den Broeck, Jan H. G. Cordewener, Elio G. W. M. Schijlen, Linda V. Bakker, Sara Diaz Trivino, Darush Struss, Simon Jan de Hoop, Hans de Jong, Sander Peters

The paper presents the first annotated genome of okra, revealing its allopolyploid nature, sub-genome structure, and gene distribution patterns, along with insights into phenol biosynthesis pathways.

The Plant Journal · Dec 22, 2023Peer-reviewedGenomics

The genome of Lactuca saligna, a wild relative of lettuce, provides insight into non-host resistance to the downy mildew Bremia lactucae

Wei Xiong, Lidija Berke, Richard W. Michelmore, Dirk‐Jan M. van Workum, Frank F. M. Becker, Elio G. W. M. Schijlen, Linda V. Bakker, Sander Peters, R. van Treuren, Marieke Jeuken, Klaas Bouwmeester, M. Eric Schranz

The paper reports a chromosome-level genome assembly of Lactuca saligna and identifies resistance genes associated with non-host resistance to downy mildew.

The Plant Journal · Mar 29, 2023Peer-reviewedGenomics