PepsiCo has just announced the release of the full genome sequence for the hexaploid oat line OT3098. This is exciting for many reasons, not the least of which is that the sequence has been made publicly available on the GrainGenes website! You can find more information about this effort and links to the data in the article in the "Research Reports" section.

PepsiCo began funding oat research when they acquired the Quaker Oats Company in 2001. By that time, Quaker already had a long history of supporting oat breeders and other oat scientists around the world. In 1989, they took a chance on the new genetic mapping technologies and funded a consortium of North American groups to develop the first molecular maps of the oat genome. So many notable Quaker employees were involved in those efforts, including Dallas Western, Don Schrickel, Sam Weaver, Fran Webster, Bruce Roskens, and many others. The next phase was overseen by Dave Kendra, and now, thanks to Mandy Waters, David Eickholt, Gabe Gusmini, et al., things have been taken to the next level. Thanks also to all the other groups who were involved in the project!