Tomato Genome Decoded

[galina]

The tomato genome has been decoded.  Turns out that the tomato has a huge number of genes, allowing for plenty possibilities for mutation.  No wonder there are just so many different varieties around.

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v485/n7400/full/nature11119.html

[galina]

[sunloving]

How interesting. Did you realise that it was the same year as the coronation that the structure of DNA was deciphered, another diamond anniversary and reason to celebrate.

x sunloving

[Deb P]

The cynic in me wonders what will be done with this new knowledge...thinking along the lines of 'terminator' genes and all........ :-\

[galina]

The cynic in me wonders what will be done with this new knowledge...thinking along the lines of 'terminator' genes and all........ :-\

Yes we have come a long way since the discovery of dna.  And all in a relatively short space of time.  I was thinking more about targetted conventional breeding, rather than the blunt instrument of GM.  Combining what are possible good traits with conventional breeding into tasty, disease resistant, cold resistant early ripening tomatoes, doing it all the conventional way.