Differentiation between a draft and whole genom

Question

[glady]

How to differentiate between a draft and a complete genome? I mean what parameters we should look at, while differentiating them ?

Answer 1

[lakhujanivijay]

The obvious parameters are coverage, the gaps and the error rate in sequencing.

Say, "X" genome was sequenced in the year Y1:

The draft sequence covered ~90% of the genome at an error rate of 1 in 1000 bp and say there were more than 20,000 gaps and only 20% of the genome reached the finished standard. This is a "draft".

Now, "X" genome was sequenced next year, say Y2:

Now, there are less than 200 gaps and 99% of the genome is finished. Accuracy increased to only 1 error in 10,000 base pairs. This is a "complete" genome (until somebody comes and make it 100%).

I hope this helps.

[Giovanni M Dall'Olio]

I would also say: if they use contigs ids instead of chromosomes, it's quite likely a draft genome.