Biotech Updates

Factors Affecting Melon Genome Evolution Identified

July 22, 2015

A comprehensive analysis of melon genetic diversity was completed by a team of researchers from Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics and Università degli studi di Udine. A detailed description of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), structural variations and transposons were also included in their study.

By examining 7 melon varieties from wild accessions and elite varieties, the researchers found out that the genetic variability in wild melons is higher due to the marked divergence of some lineages. Furthermore, the genetic variability in elite varieties is reduced due to selection during breeding. Their findings also indicate that the structural variations and transposon contributed to the variability in melon suggesting the importance of understanding all types of genetic variability in crop genome evolution.

Read the full details of the study at Molecular Biology and Evolution.