First complete sequencing of pear genome

An international consortium looking into the pear genetics has completed the first pear genomic sequence.

The international team includes researchers from Nanjing Agricultural University, BGI, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Georgia, University of Hawaii, and Tohoku University.

Professor Shaoling Zhang, the chief scientist and group leader of the pear genome sequencing project at Nanjing Agricultural University, said, "The complete sequencing of the pear genome provides a solid scientific foundation for scientists to explore the complex genetic characteristics underlying the pear fruit tree, such as the key genes that related with the taste, color, storage, resistance for diseases and insects as well as yield improvement. Moreover, the genomic sequence provides an invaluable new resource for tracing pear's evolutionary history."

Professor Jun Wang, Executive Director of BGI, said, "The completion of the genome sequencing is a major step forward to understanding pear's important economic traits. We are making continuous efforts for decoding genomes of plants and animals that play a key economic role or are considered valuable food sources, as well as endangered species that have evolutionary or scientific importance. We would like to enhance the genomic research through collaborative projects with researchers worldwide for better understanding the genetics basis of plants and animals and boosting the further development of modern agriculture."