Chromosome-level genome of Himalayan yew

Taxoids, containing the well-known anticancer drug Taxol (paclitaxel), are of particular interest for pharmaceutical industry, but the intricate biosynthetic pathway has been the limitation for the further development. Here by assembling a chromosome-level genome of the Himalayan yew (Taxus wallichiana) with 10.9 Gbp in 12 chromosomes, the reference genome will serve as a platform for decoding the complete biosynthetic pathway of paclitaxel and understanding the chemodiversity of taxoids in gymnosperm.