The International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC) has produced a chromosome-based draft sequence of the hexaploid bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) genome. The 17-gigabase genome was sequenced by isolating and sequencing chromosome arms, resulting in the annotation of 124,201 gene loci distributed across the homeologous chromosomes and subgenomes. Comparative gene analysis revealed high sequence similarity and structural conservation with limited gene loss after polyploidization. However, dynamic gene gain, loss, and duplication were observed across the genomes since the divergence of wheat lineages. The subgenomes exhibited a high degree of transcriptional autonomy and no global dominance. These insights into the genome biology of a polyploid crop provide a foundation for faster gene isolation, rapid genetic marker development, and precise breeding to meet increasing food demand. The study also analyzed the phylogenetic history of the wheat genomes, finding that the A and B genomes diverged from a common ancestor ~7 million years ago, and the D genome arose through homoploid hybrid speciation ~2 million years later. Additionally, the authors explored gene distribution, order, and conservation, as well as gene family size variation, to understand the dynamics of gene retention and loss in the wheat genome.The International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC) has produced a chromosome-based draft sequence of the hexaploid bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) genome. The 17-gigabase genome was sequenced by isolating and sequencing chromosome arms, resulting in the annotation of 124,201 gene loci distributed across the homeologous chromosomes and subgenomes. Comparative gene analysis revealed high sequence similarity and structural conservation with limited gene loss after polyploidization. However, dynamic gene gain, loss, and duplication were observed across the genomes since the divergence of wheat lineages. The subgenomes exhibited a high degree of transcriptional autonomy and no global dominance. These insights into the genome biology of a polyploid crop provide a foundation for faster gene isolation, rapid genetic marker development, and precise breeding to meet increasing food demand. The study also analyzed the phylogenetic history of the wheat genomes, finding that the A and B genomes diverged from a common ancestor ~7 million years ago, and the D genome arose through homoploid hybrid speciation ~2 million years later. Additionally, the authors explored gene distribution, order, and conservation, as well as gene family size variation, to understand the dynamics of gene retention and loss in the wheat genome.