www.checkbiotech.org ; www.raupp.info ; www.czu.cz

Crucial new genetic data on apples could help revolutionise the produce
industry by unlocking the secrets of taste, health and colour, March 2006 by
nthony Fletcher.

Researchers at New Zealand's fruit science company HortResearch announced
this week that they will shortly complete the public release of the world's
most extensive collection of apple DNA sequences.

The release comprises over 50,000 apple gene sequences - referred to by
scientists as expressed sequence tags (ESTs). These are DNA sequences from
active genes in the plant; genes that govern such characteristics as fruit
colour and taste.

By identifying and investigating only these active genes, researchers claim
they have been able to avoid the high costs and long timeframes associated
with full genome mapping projects.

A number of research teams from around the world have been working on
identifying apple ESTs, and this will be the second time New Zealand
scientists have taken line honours for being first to publish crucial
information. The previous occasion was in 2004, when HortResearch and listed
New Zealand biotech company Genesis released 100,000 apple ESTs.

Identified by HortResearch scientists over a six year period, the apple ESTs
hold the secrets to discovering how gene function controls all aspects of
fruit development, including taste, colour, vitamin content and even how
fruit fight plant diseases. Fruit breeders can use this information to
create new apple varieties, tailored to suit consumer tastes, health
requirements, and the demand from industry for fruit less prone to disease.

Speaking at a gathering of the worlds top fruit geneticists in Hawkes Bay,
New Zealand, HortResearch chief scientist Dr Ian Ferguson said the
technology held the capacity to revolutionise the apple industry.

"By understanding fruit at a genetic level we are able to unlock the true
potential of nature and present industry with products that meet consumer
demand for attractive, novel, exciting new fruits that taste great, are
healthy, convenient, safe and sustainably produced," he said.

Ferguson said the EST database has already helped expand scientific
understanding of apple, enabling HortResearch scientists to identify a key
gene involved in apple colour expression.

"Further work with the database will undoubtedly yield even more exciting
advances in the future."

Releasing the ESTs into the public domain could also serve to enhance the
speed of discovery.

"We will see a multiplier effect, where discoveries made in other countries
will benefit our work and speed up cultivar development," said Ferguson.
"There will also be opportunities for HortResearch to become involved in
collaborative research programmes."

HortResearch says its apple EST database is already being employed to
support the companys own breeding programmes for novel apple varieties,
including a recently revealed red-fleshed apple.

HortResearch, a New Zealand-based science company, is home to the world's
largest fruit gene and compound database. The company has earned
considerable acclaim as the name behind development of Zespri Gold
kiwifruit, Jazz apples and a range of other successful cultivars including
blueberries and peaches.

The company was also behind the development of the world's first intelligent
fruit labelling system, ripe ense.

[www.foodnavigator.com]

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