An international consortium of 300 researchers from 14 different countries (appropriately named the Tomato Genome Consortium or TGC) recently announced that they had decoded 80% of the tomato genome, and 90% of its 35,000 protein-coding genes. The leaders of the UK arm emphasized that this collaborative effort will not only make precision breeding possible in tomatoes, but also in other crop species belonging to the same family, such as aubergines and peppers. Additionally, the sequence could help to develop tomato varieties that can survive pests, pathogens and potential climate change, as well as high-yield crops that still taste good.
As with other species genome project results, the reported sequence reveals interesting relationships between tomatoes and closely-related species, including “wild” species related to the domestic tomato, as well as identifying sequence characteristics resulting from evolutionary events in the tomato pedigree. The researchers originally compared the sequences from a tomato variety used to produce the domestic tomato to its closest wild relative. This research not only allows for the improvement of the domestic tomato by identifying the genes for taste, yield, and nutritional content, but it also offers some insight into how the tomato ripens and how its relatives diversified and adapted to new environments.
Using traditional Sanger sequencing methods, the TGC started its work in 2003 but the genome sequence was far from finished even in 2008. Later, next generation sequencing methods helped to close the gaps and confirm the DNA sequence. Although the DNA sequence code is universal, other communication between researchers must have been challenging at times as their research labs were located everywhere from China, Korea, and Japan, to Spain, Germany, The Netherlands, Italy, the UK and the US. But by combining their expertise, the TGC was able to decode the majority of the tomato genome. Another example of how international collaboration can help to accelerate research and accomplish greater goals which will ultimately benefit everyone.
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.
Language Connections Inc.
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com