In an article entitled,  “A reference genome for common bean and genome-wide analysis of dual domestications,”  published online in JuneNature Genetics (08 June 2014), the lead author Jeremy Schmutz and 40 of his associates reported that they have assembled 473 Mb of the 587-Mb genome and genetically anchored 98% of this sequence in 11 chromosome-scale pseudomolecules. They also compared the genome for the common bean against that of  soybean to find changes consequent on its polyploidization. Using resequencing of 60 wild individuals and 100 land races from the genetically differentiated Mesoamerican and Andean gene pools, they confirmed two independent domestications from genetic pools that diverged before human colonization. Less than 10% of the 74 Mb of sequence putatively involved in domestication was shared by the two domestication events. Furthermore, they  identified a set of genes linked with increased leaf surface and seed size and combined these results with quantitative trait locus data from Mesoamerican cultivars. Genes affected by domestication may be useful for crop improvement.