South Carolina is proud to be The Palmetto State! The iconic silhouette on the state flag reminds us of the pivotal role these trees played in making the ramparts of Fort Moultrie in Charleston. These sturdy trunks were critical to defending against the British during the Revolutionary War. Despite the cultural and historical significance, little is known about the fundamental genetic makeup of this beloved native species. To remedy this, we will use breakthrough technology in DNA sequencing to decode the entire DNA sequence (genome) of the Sabal palmetto. This scientific achievement will allow us to compare the genetic makeup of the Sabal palmetto to other trees and provide clues on how to protect it...
Dr. Nathan Hancock and students from the University of South Carolina Aiken will sequence and assemble a high-quality genome for scientific analysis. This starts with the extraction of long stretches of DNA from leaf tissue and visualizing the DNA sequence with cutting-edge sequencing machines. Students in the USCA Applied Biotechnology course will then use a sequence analysis pipeline to assemble the raw data into chromosomes. This will involve collaboration with the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville Alabama, who recently published the Auburn Oaks genome.
Funding of this project will elevate the profile of the palmetto among plant scientists, with the genome of a historically relevant South Carolina plant becoming the archetypal representative of its species. In addition, understanding the DNA blueprint of this important species will aid in developing strategies to protect it from threats from pathogens (i.e. lethal bronzing disease) and other risks so it will be enjoyed by future generations.
Join in this effort to support the University of South Carolina Aiken students and the palmetto by donating today! You may support this project by making a donation through the below link or by mailing a check made payable to Aiken Partnership with Sabal Palmetto Project noted in the memo line.
Thank you for your time and kind consideration.