A Spanish bioinformatics scientist is leading an international research group based in the Netherlands that aims to sequence the complete genome of 150 tomato varieties of great commercial interest from all over the world, including wild varieties.
Gabino Sánchez Pérez (Alicante, 1974) is the head of the Bioinformatics Laboratory of Plant Research International of the University of Wageningen, formed by fifteen researchers, and which is working in partnership with the Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI).
Sánchez Pérez revealed that the first step was the sequencing of a tomato genome, which started almost a decade ago, of the variety called Heinz, which is used by the famous ketchup company.
According to the bioinformatics scientist, the tomato genome is three times smaller than the human genome, and the research conducted on the Heinz variety served as a blueprint to describe how the tomato genome is structured.
Now the goal is to discover the genetic characteristics of the various tomato varieties and compare them with one another to explain the differences in shape, size, flavour and speed in ripening, among other aspects.
The sequencing process of the 150 varieties has been conducted for almost a year thanks to an international agreement between public institutions and tomato producing companies from countries such as the United States, China, Thailand, India, France and Spain.
The agreement grants access to a complete database that will allow for the improvement of all varieties being marketed. It will be possible to obtain tomatoes with a higher market value by making changes to their colour, crunchiness, sweetness and antioxidant properties.
Some of the varieties selected include Canarian tomatoes (Moneymaker), Pamplona's Rochapea and the black Cherry.
The idea is also to expand this concept to many other agricultural products of commercial interest, such as melons, potatoes, onions or saffron.
Source: Efe