Wild Tomato Genome Sequenced

Two laboratories from the Boyce Thompson Institute, in collaboration with an international research group based in Germany, contributed to the genome sequence of a wild tomato relative. The wild tomato species, Solanum pennellii is endemic to the Andes regions of South America, and can be crossed with cultivated tomatoes (S. lycopersicum). It is used by tomato breeders as source of drought and pathogen resistance in addition to yield and fruit quality traits. The genome sequence will enhance the uses of this species for more efficient breeding and basic biological inquiries into the genes that distinguish the modern tomato from this wild relative. 

For more information, read http://bti.cornell.edu/about/news?id=5858.