The genomes of the reference varieties of Oryza sativa Japonica (cv. Nipponbare) and Indica (cv 93-11) were sequenced a few years ago. However, the genome sequence is just the starting point. For the data to be useful for research, requires a process called genome annotation. Annotation involves finding and defining the genes within the genome, and working out what functional roles those genes code for. The annotation usually involves several different software packages.