Genome Sequencing Of Jamun:
The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal have conducted the first-ever genome sequencing of the jamun tree (Syzygium cumini).
- The study aimed to gain insights into the genomic and evolutionary basis of jamun’s medicinal properties.
- The research team used Oxford Nanopore and 10x Genomics sequencing technologies to sequence the S. cumini genome.
- The analysis revealed a higher number of coding genes in the jamun genome, suggesting a neopolyploidy event.
- The study identified key genes involved in the adaptive evolution of jamun, contributing to its anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
- A neopolyploidy event refers to the occurrence of polyploidy, a condition in which an organism has multiple sets of chromosomes, leading to an increase in the number of chromosomes in its cells.
- Polyploidy can arise through different mechanisms, including errors during cell division or hybridization between different species
