ITHACA, N.Y. Are juicier, sweeter, more disease-resistant watermelons on the way? An international consortium of more than 60 scientists from the United States, China, and Europe has published the genome sequence of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) information that could dramatically accelerate watermelon breeding toward production of a more nutritious, tastier and more resistant fruit. The watermelon genome sequence was published in the Nov. 25 online version of the journal Nature Genetics.
The researchers discovered that a large portion of disease resistance genes were lost in the domestication of watermelon. With the high-quality watermelon sequence now complete, it is hoped that breeders can now use the information to recover some of these natural disease defenses.
The authors reported that the genome of the domesticated watermelon contained 23,440 genes, roughly the same number of genes as in humans. The group compared the genomes of 20 different watermelons and developed a first-generation genetic variation map for watermelon. This information allowed them to identify genomic regions that have been under human selection, including those associated with fruit color, taste and size.
"Watermelons are an important cash crop and among the top five most consumed fresh fruits; however, cultivated watermelons have a very narrow genetic base, which presents a major bottleneck to its breeding. Decoding the complete genome of the watermelon and resequencing watermelons from different subspecies provided a wealth of information and toolkits to facilitate research and breeding," said Zhangjun Fei, a scientist at the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research at Cornell University, and one of the leaders of this project.
Fei worked with BTI scientists on different aspects of the research, including James Giovannoni, to generate the gene expression data through RNA-sequencing and Lukas Mueller to provide additional analys
'/>"/>
| Contact: John Carberry johncarberry@cornell.edu 607-255-5353 Cornell University Source:Eurekalert |
Related biology news :
1. Short DNA strands in the genome may be key to understanding human cognition and diseases
2. Researchers decode birch tree genome sequence for the first time
3. Pear genome provides new insight into breeding improvement and evolutionary trace analysis
4. USDA funded research leads to key discoveries in the pig genome
5. Researchers sequence swine genome, discover associations that may advance animal and human health
6. Duke Medicine news -- Genome sequencing of Burkitt Lymphoma reveals unique mutation
7. Global genome effort seeks genetic roots of disease
8. Barley genome could hold key to better beer
9. USDA scientists collaborate with global researchers to advance the mapping of the barley genome
10. Oyster genome uncover the stress adaptation and complexity of shell formation
11. Uncovering the genomes regulatory code
| Copyright © 2003-2012 Bio-Medicine. All rights reserved. ABOUT | CONTACT US | DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS AND CONDITIONS |  |