Biotech Updates

Scientists Crack the Apple Genome

September 3, 2010

Professor Riccardo Velasco of Edmund Mach Foundation in Italy and other scientists have finally decoded the genetics of Golden Delicious domesticated apple variety. Genomic events led to the discovery that apple originated from the mountains of southern Kazakhstan where Malus sievers, the wild ancestor of apple, is still present.

The genes were sequenced to search for target genes that code for disease resistance and favorable taste, with the hope of contributing to food security of nations in the future.

The complete article in Italian is available at http://www.fondazioneedmundmach.it/pn_default.jsp?area=48&ID_LINK=2278. The highlights of this study is available for subscribers of Nature Genetics at http://www.nature.com/ng/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ng.654.html.