Monday, November 6, 2017

Pumpkin Genome Reveals Evolutionary History

Image result for pumpkins






      To  begin, I chose an article dealing with the recently passing holiday. Scientist at the Boyce Thomson Institute in Beijing were sequencing pumpkin genomes finding out a huge pieces to the unknown puzzle of genetics. The high functioning pumkin sequencing is sure to have some effect on finding genetic outcomes for agriculture and breeding processes. The two pumpkin species in this test were the Cucurbita Maxima and the Cucurbita Moschata. The overall goal of the experiment was to find specific linkage between genes and traits. The pumpkin has 20 sets of chromosomes which is larger than the average vegetable such as watermelon etc. It was discovered that a pumpkin in the experiment is a paleotrapoid because it is made of two ancient genome sequences.  "We were excited to find out that the current two sub-genomes in pumpkin largely maintain the chromosome structures of the two progenitors despite sharing the same nucleus for at least three million years," said Shan Wu, first author of the paper and BT (Sciencedaily.com). 
    Personally, I found this article to be very interesting. There is so much to still discover about genetics. We may know something then find something that alters the information completely. I thought this was a great example of progressive studies in the area of genetics. This article also made me realize that pumpkins are used for a variety of things in other countries not just appraised in October as we do here in the U.S. The Institute does a great job in describing its nutritious value. 









Source: 
Boyce Thompson Institute. (2017, October 30). Pumpkin genomes sequenced, revealing 
      uncommon evolutionary history. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 6, 2017 from  
      www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171030095428.htm

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