Understanding the function of genes within staple crops will accelerate crop improvement by allowing targeted breeding approaches. Despite their importance, a lack of genomic information and resources has hindered the functional characterisation of genes in major crops. The recent release of high-quality reference sequences for these crops underpins a suite of genetic and genomic resources that support basic research and breeding. For wheat, these include gene model annotations, expression atlases and gene networks that provide information about putative function. Sequenced mutant populations, improved transformation protocols and structured natural populations provide rapid methods to study gene function directly. We highlight a case study exemplifying how to integrate these resources. This review provides a helpful guide for plant scientists, especially those expanding into crop research, to capitalise on the discoveries made in Arabidopsis and other plants. This will accelerate the improvement of crops of vital importance for food and nutrition security.

中文翻译：

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大基因组农作物中基因功能表征的路线图：多倍体小麦的经验教训

通过允许有针对性的育种方法，了解主食中基因的功能将加速作物改良。尽管它们很重要，但是缺乏基因组信息和资源阻碍了主要农作物中基因的功能表征。这些作物的高质量参考序列的最新发布为支持基础研究和育种的一系列遗传和基因组资源奠定了基础。对于小麦，这些包括基因模型注释，表达图谱和提供有关推定功能信息的基因网络。测序的突变种群，改良的转化方案和结构化的自然种群提供了直接研究基因功能的快速方法。我们重点介绍一个案例研究，说明如何整合这些资源。这篇评论为植物科学家提供了有用的指南，拟南芥和其他植物。这将加速对粮食和营养安全至关重要的农作物的改良。