In silico archeogenomics unveils modern plant genome organisation, regulation and evolution

Increasing access to plant genome sequences as well as high resolution gene-based genetic maps have recently offered the opportunity to compare modern genomes and model their evolutionary history from their reconstructed founder ancestors on an unprecedented scale. In silico paleogenomic data have revealed the evolutionary forces that have shaped present-day genomes and allowed us to gain insight into how they are organised and regulated today.

► Plants derive from ancestors of 5/7 protochromosomes with 10000 protogenes and 50 MB in size. ► Modern diploid plant species are paleopolyploids that went through a diploidization process. ► At the genome level, the diploidization consists in ancestral chromosome fusions/fissions. ► At the gene level, the diploidization consists in deletion, neo- or sub-functionalization. ► The diploidization process follows the gene dosage balance and sub-genome bias rules.