The 2009 ASHS Annual Conference

Objective(s):
To introduce various functional genomics tools and illustrate with some specific examples of functional characterizations of genes in fruit trees. To provide a platform for promoting participation, collaboration, and cooperation among the ASHS members in fruit functional genomics, which will consequently benefit fruit breeders, geneticists, and biotechnologists, and ultimately the fruit industry, and the general public.

Fruit Tree Functional Genomics
(Max) Zong-Ming Cheng and Gan-Yuan Zhong
As the genomes of grapevine and papaya have been completely sequenced and those of apple,  peach, and other fruit crops are underway, the emphasis of fruit crop genomics research will be shifted to functional  characterization and evaluation  (or functional genomics) of  the key genes of horticultural significance, such as those controlling fruit quality, resistances to diseases and pests, and environmental adaptation . Functional characterization of these genes will allow fruit breeders and geneticists to improve fruit species through genome-guided breeding processes. In this workshop, we will introduce various functional genomics tools and illustrate with some specific examples of functional characterizations of genes in fruit trees. We hope that this workshop will provide a platform for promoting participation, collaboration, and cooperation among the ASHS members in fruit tree functional genomics, which will consequently benefit fruit breeders, geneticists, and biotechnologists, and ultimately the fruit industry, and the general public.