Accurate sequence and assembly of genomes is a critical first step for studies 
of genetic variation. We generated a high-quality assembly of the gorilla genome 
using single-molecule, real-time sequence technology and a string graph de novo 
assembly algorithm. The new assembly improves contiguity by two to three orders 
of magnitude with respect to previously released assemblies, recovering 87% of 
missing reference exons and incomplete gene models. Although regions of large, 
high-identity segmental duplications remain largely unresolved, this 
comprehensive assembly provides new biological insight into genetic diversity, 
structural variation, gene loss, and representation of repeat structures within 
the gorilla genome. The approach provides a path forward for the routine 
assembly of mammalian genomes at a level approaching that of the current quality 
of the human genome.