Led by researcher Yiliu Xu, the pomegranate genome research team from Anhui Agriculture Science Institution, successfully deciphered the genome of the fruit before anyone else did. Their research results were published in The Plant Journal, a famous international journal in the field of botany.
The research project used Dabenzi as the subject, which is a traditional pomegranate variety from Anhui Province. With the help of the second-generation genome sequencing technology, researchers were able to finish the genome assembly of 328Mb and predict a total of 29229 protein-coding genes. The project also covered the in-depth study of the pomegranate's systematic evolution, skin structure development and the metabolic mechanism of the key components including anthocyanins, ellagic acid and Punicalagins.
The results of the project have laid foundations for further study of the genetic functions of pomegranates and provided important evidence for genetic improvement of the species. This is also the first genetic profile of a plant from the myrtales family and it will help with the study of plant evolution.
Source: www.anhuinews.com/