University of Florida Students Assembled Pignut Hickory Genome
Eleven undergraduates identified the tree as a tetraploid organism during a spring 2025 research course.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Life Sciences
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In the spring of 2025, eleven undergraduate students at the University of Florida successfully assembled the pignut hickory genome for the first time. The research team identified the tree as a tetraploid organism using leaf samples collected from the campus.
Why it matters
The project provided students with hands-on experience in scientific inquiry while contributing to an initiative to sequence tree genomes on college campuses nationwide. It marks a significant academic achievement compared to the 13 years required for the first human genome assembly.
The study utilized leaf samples from McCarty Woods to sequence the pignut hickory, identifying it as a tetraploid with four copies of DNA. This work follows broader genomic research, such as that involving the netted adder's-tongue fern which holds 48 copies.
The players
University of Florida
This is a major public research institution located in Gainesville that hosts various scientific research initiatives.
G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics
This is a peer-reviewed academic journal that publishes high-quality research in the fields of genetics and genomics.
The details
Using leaf samples from the 2.9-acre McCarty Woods on campus, students filtered raw sequence data and matched overlapping DNA segments to complete the project. Five students extended their research into the summer to perform further genome annotation.
Timeline
The undergraduate research course took place during the spring semester of 2025.
A plaque honoring the 11 student participants was placed in April 2025.
Five students continued their work on the genome throughout the summer of 2025.
The Big Picture
This assembly effort follows the historical precedent set by the first human genome assembly, which took 13 years to complete. The successful project marks a departure from such lengthy timelines by demonstrating the efficiency of modern undergraduate genomic research.
This research provides a foundational genetic map that could aid future forestry management and urban tree conservation in Gainesville. The methods developed by students may also be applied to other native species, potentially leading to more resilient local plant life.
The takeaway
The successful genome assembly demonstrates the potential for undergraduate courses to make meaningful contributions to complex scientific fields. Students and researchers can use these collaborative models to accelerate the study of local plant biology and genetic diversity.
Further reading
Learn more about local scientific advancements at Gainesville Life Sciences.
More information
Find further institutional context on the Florida Museum of Natural History portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ocala Gazette.
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