Potential applications of next generation sequencing to the genomics of Posidonia oceanica.

Genomics of non model species can be however conveniently explored using novel methods that imply next generation sequencing and bioinformatic analyses. Next generation sequencing apparently represents a step change and a starting point for genetical and biological research in the XXIst century, producing genomic sequences in parallel, at ever increasing speed and decreasing costs. So several Gigabases of data can be sequenced in a few weeks for a fraction of the costs of Sanger sequencing. NGS technologies offer novel, rapid ways for large, genome-wide characterisation and profiling of DNA, mRNAs, small-RNAs, transcription factor regions, chromatin structure and DNA methylation patterns. In this work, we describe the potential use of NGS sequencing data for studying structural genomics of Posidonia oceanica, an endangered seagrass species of pivotal importance for the maintainance of the Mediterranean sea.