Tomato is tomato because of two whole genome triplications

Tomato Genome Update - 2

Analysis of the recently sequence tomato genome in comparison to potato and grape genome reveal that massive genome duplication events shaped the evolution of these plants. Ancestors of tomato genome underwent whole genome triplication twice, one very early in a common eudicot ancestor shared with rosid and the second more recent triplication in the ancestor of tomato and potato followed by widespread gene loss. This recent  triplication has occurred around  71 million years ago well before divergence of tomato and potato which took place approximately

How many genes in Tomato ?

Tomato Genome Update-1:

• The genome size of tomato is ca. 900 MB (Approximate values: Human genome is 3000 MB, rice genome is 370 MB, Arabidopsis genome  is 130 MB, E.coli genome is 4.5 MB)
• Total number of protein coding genes: 34,727 (8615 groups common between rice, Arabidopsis, grape, tomato and potato; 1727 groups are common between

Breaking Discovery: Tomato genome sequenced

The genome of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum),  a major crop plant and a model system for fruit development,  is sequenced by an International Consortium of Scientists. The genome of   domesticated tomato and  its closest wild relative, Solanumpimpinellifolium were sequenced.  The two tomato genomes show only 0.6% nucleotide divergence and signs of recent admixture, but show more than 8% divergence from potato, with nine large and several smaller inversions. In contrast to Arabidopsis,

Transfer PCR: a new method for one step transfer of gene from one plasmid vector to another

A new method called Transfer PCR (TPCR) which  combines PCR amplification of a gene present in a vector / plasmid and subsequent integration of the PCR product into the recipient vector without intermediate product purification and without the need of any commercial kit has been discovered by Researchers from Hebrew University of Jerusalem,and  Weizmann Institute of Science,  Israel.

For DNA cloning, the donor and the recipient plasmids are present in the same reaction tube together with the other reaction components, including primers, reaction buffer and dNTPs. The two primers include sequences, which are complimentary to the target gene at the 3′ end and sequences corresponding to the integration site in the recipient vector at the 5′ end.

{Image courtesy: Journal of Structural Biology)

Example:
The transcription factor IIE α subunit (ΤFIIEα, ∼1300 bp) gene is  in

tssRNA , a new type of transcription start site associated small RNA in bacteria

Researchers from Spain have identified a  new class of small RNA (~45 bases long)  in gram positive and negative bacteria. These tssRNAs are associated with RNA polymerase pausing some 45 bases downstream of the transcription start site and show global changes in expression during the growth cycle.  They are related to eukaryotic tiRNAs in their localization (transcription start sites, TSS) but not in their biogenesis. tssRNAs are generated at the same positions

BREAKTHROUGH DISCOVERY: Tet-assisted bisulfite sequencing (TAB-Seq), a new method for mapping methylation to single base resolution of entire genome

BREAKTHROUGH DISCOVERY

Tet-assisted bisulfite sequencing (TAB-Seq), a new method for mapping methylation to single base resolution of entire genome

DNA methylation regulating gene expression is a known fact but study of this 5-hydroxylmethylcytosines (5hmC) has been hampered by the lack of a method to map it at single-base resolution on a genome-wide scale. Affinity purification-based methods (which are used currently) cannot precisely locate 5hmC nor accurately determine its relative abundance at each modified site.  For the first time a revolutionary  genome-wide approach  named “ Tet-assisted bisulfite sequencing (TAB-Seq)” has been devised by Scientists from University of Chicago, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California, San Diego and Emory University.  This method,  when combined with traditional bisulfite sequencing can be used for

Ferroptosis, a new type of cell death with potential applications

Ferroptosis, a new type of cell death,  is the iron dependent form of nonaptotic cell death triggered by  the oncogenic  RAS-selective lethal small molecule erastin (Nonapoptotic forms of cell death may facilitate the selective elimination of some tumor cells or be activated in specific pathological states). Ferroptosis is dependent upon intracellular iron, but not other metals, and is morphologically, biochemically, and genetically distinct from