Arabidopsis thaliana sequenced plant genome

2001/01/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Genetika

The year just ended has been officially the year of mathematics but also that of genetics. In March the sequence of the genome of the fly Drosophila melanogaster was completed, in June the Human Genome Project was developed in the mouth and ear of all and in December the turn to the plants has been touched. Those responsible for the Arabidopsis Genome Project have recently published that they have the plant genome in their hands. Good news and content. In fact, they have not done a mere sequence of DNA chains, since in addition to obtaining orderly information, researchers have managed to know the function of many genes.

But yesterday they didn't start working. Arabidopsis thaliana has been used since 1980 as a model of understanding biochemistry, physiology and plant development. The first genetic map of the plant was carried out in 1983 and since then numerous studies on the project have been collected. And why Arabidopsis? For its small size, speed of reproduction, abundance of seeds and scarce genome. This weed from the Aza family is perfect for use in laboratories.

Last year the sequence of two chromosomes was completed and the three missing have been finished. A total of 26,000 genes have been identified, although the different ones do not reach 15,000. The gene to which the specific vital functions belong has been known and the genetic basis of the differences and differences between multicellular organisms has been revealed. Knowledge of the plant genome serves, on the one hand, to analyze evolutionary processes and, on the other, it cannot be forgotten that humans use plants as a source of food and medicine. Agriculture can also take advantage of plant genomes