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Genome from tomatoes finally sequenced
United States
Monday 04 June 2012
MD
Scientists were able to determine the order, the type and the positions of 35 000 genes in tomatoes. This map of the DNA will lead to improved varieties.
After nine years of work, teams of scientists from 14 countries have managed to sequence the tomato genome.
The results were recently published in the journal Nature. The Tomato Genome Consortium (TGC) has received the cooperation of many scientists. In France, the National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRA) participated in this study.
The tomato genome has 12 chromosomes and about 35,000 genes
. The results are available to the scientific community that may well accelerate improvements in varieties for taste, nutritional value, resistance to insects and diseases and drought resistance.
This advance is crucial because the tomato and other plants of the Solanaceae family (potatoes, peppers and eggplant) are the primary vegetables globally in both production quantities and economic value.
This advance is crucial because the tomato and other plants of the Solanaceae family (potatoes, peppers and eggplant) are the primary vegetables globally in both production quantities and economic value.
source : maxisciences, science et avenir,
