Trimitomics

Trimitomics assembles mitochondrial genomes from transcriptomic (RNA-sequencing) reads to recover complete mitochondrial sequences for phylogenetic, population-genetic, and molecular analyses of nonmodel species, including invertebrates such as poriferans.

Key Features:

• Robustness Across Sequencing Depths: Processes RNA-sequencing data of varying depths to recover mitochondrial protein-coding and ribosomal genes.
• Comprehensive Genome Recovery: Enables complete assembly of mitochondrial genomes when sequencing depth is sufficient.
• Utility in Diverse Biological Contexts: Leverages mitochondrial DNA properties—high copy number and a mix of fast- and slow-evolving regions—to support phylogenetic, population, and molecular studies, including analyses of degraded samples and recent speciation events.
• Application to Nonmodel Invertebrates: Demonstrated efficacy across nonmodel invertebrate species from six phyla, including poriferans where microbiological symbionts complicate assembly.

Scientific Applications:

• Phylogenetics: Provides complete mitochondrial genomes for constructing and refining phylogenetic trees.
• Population Genetics: Enables analysis of mitochondrial DNA variation for studies of genetic diversity and population structure.
• Molecular Biology: Supports investigation of mitochondrial gene function and regulation relevant to cellular metabolism and energy production.

Methodology:

Processes Illumina next-generation RNA-sequencing reads to assemble mitochondrial genomes, accommodating variable sequencing depths and addressing assembly challenges posed by symbiont-derived sequences.