Researchers Publish Cucumber Genetic Map

A team of researchers from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the China Agricultural University and the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has produced the world's first integrated genetic and cytogenetic map of the cucumber genome, an important resource for scientists working to develop improved cucurbit crops.

"This map will facilitate whole genome sequencing and positional cloning, enhance marker assisted selection (MAS), and provide opportunities to investigate synteny among cucurbit species," wrote Sanwen Huang, a researcher at the Institute of Vegetables and Flowers of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and his colleagues in a paper published by PLoS One.

Cucumbers belong to the family Cucurbitaceae, which also includes important vegetable and fruit crops such as melon, watermelon, pumpkin and squash. Despite their commercial importance, however, there are few genomic tools available for cucurbits.

Continue reading the article at http://www.isaaa.org/kc/cropbiotechupdate/researchfeatures/default.html#
Researchers_Publish_Cucumber_Genetic_Map.htm