Led by researchers from Sichuan University and Martin Lysak from CEITEC MUNI, the study published in Nature Communications examined chromosome fusion breakpoints as markers of phylogeny to determine evolutionary relationships within the mustard family (Brassicaceae). By comparing shared fusion breakpoints and their sequential order across the phylogenetic tree, the team resolved some long-standing controversies regarding the relationships within the two major lineages harbouring the model species Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica crop species (e.g. canola, cabbage, broccoli).