truebmb,plantbiology04/24/2024Uncovering a 'parallel universe' in tomato geneticsMSU researchers have made an evolutionary biology breakthrough
  • Researchers at Michigan State University haveunraveled a surprising genetic mystery centered on acylsugars in tomato plants. These are sticky defense metabolites usually found in tiny hairs on a plant’s surface.
  • Led by Professor Robert Last and postdoctoral researchers Rachel Kerwin and Jaynee Hart, the team reported the discovery of a genetic “parallel universe” in which acylsugars are also found in tomato roots.
  • These findings shed new light on the evolutionary story of the Solanaceae plant family and the ways defense metabolites like acylsugars could lead to improved natural pesticides.
Connor YeckTomato seedlings a few inches tall grow in small green plastic containers. Focus is on one plant in the center of the image, while the rest are out of focus. Tomato seedlings a few inches tall grow in small green plastic containers. Focus is on one plant in the center of the image, while the rest are out of focus.