Plant, Animal & Microbe Genomes X Conference Plant, Animal & Microbe Genomes X ConferenceJanuary 12-16, 2002
Town & Country Convention Center
San Diego, CA
Workshop: Comparative Genomics
Tomato has long served as the model system for examining climacteric fruit ripening. Years of scientific investigation have resulted in substantial information and genetic resources for studying the biology of this agronomically important plant, including recently developed genomics tools. One interesting aspect of the emergence of such tools is the possibility of their exploitation across species boundaries to yield knowledge to benefit other agriculturally important crops for which less information (and resources) are currently available. We describe here the construction of a cDNA microarray for analysis of tomato fruit ripening and development. A fruit development gene expression profile is currently being created to establish a baseline of gene expression throughout development and especially ripening. Additionally, we have demonstrated the potential use of tomato microarrays for genomics applications in other members of the Solanaceae family. Hybridization of leaf, and in some cases fruit, cDNA probes to tomato microarrays was employed to assess the potential utilization of this tool for gene expression profiling in tobacco, potato, petunia, pepper, and eggplant. Selected gene expression data was confirmed by RNA gel-blot analysis. Global gene expression data, coupled with corresponding proteome, metabolome and physiological variation among developmental stages or phenotypes will eventually provide specific targets for genetic manipulation in tomato, as well as other members of the family Solanaceae, yielding greater understanding of plant development and molecular tools for crop improvement.