New Future for Kiwifruit
|
|
Genesis Research and Development Corporation Limited (GEN) | 9:12 am, Tuesday 29 July 2008 | GEN | 0.090 |
 0.000 |
(+0.00%) |
Genetic Data from HortResearch and Genesis Research Promises New Future for
Kiwifruit: Fruit Scientists Uncover DNA behind Colour, Flavour, Shape,
Nutrition and Ripening
Auckland, New Zealand, 28 July 2008. Kiwifruit lovers can look forward to
new, novel forms of their favourite fruit thanks to the release this week of
crucial genetic data which fruit breeders say will help them naturally breed
new varieties with increased health properties and exciting colours and
flavours.
Researchers at New Zealand-based fruit science company HortResearch and
listed New Zealand biotech company Genesis Research and Development
Corporation Limited (NZSX/ASX: GEN) announced today that they would complete
the public release of the world's most extensive collection of kiwifruit DNA
sequences.
The release comprises over 130,000 kiwifruit gene sequences - referred to by
scientists as expressed sequence tags (ESTs). These are DNA sequences from
active genes in the plant; genes that govern such characteristics as flavour,
colour, shape, vitamin content and aspects of fruit development such as
ripening and storage life.
HortResearch and Genesis released a similar number of apple ESTs in March
2006. Those genes are now part of HortResearch's world-renowned apple and
pear breeding programme.
A paper detailing the discovery and analysis of the Kiwifruit ESTs was
published today by US-based peer-reviewed journal BMC Genomics. See
www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2164/9/351
