The Latest Biology News And Medical NewsBiology News 2Health News 2Biology News 3Health News 3
HOME >> BIOLOGY >> NEWS
Gene Transfer Process Generates Seedless Summer Days

MANHATTAN, Kans. -- You're at a summer picnic when invariably you're faced with an important decision -- what to do with the seeds from the watermelon you are enjoying. Should you just spit them on the ground, into a napkin or -- much to your mother's chagrin -- swallow them?

A process used by a Kansas State University assistant professor of biology may be the answer to this question of etiquette. Yi Li has successfully used gene transfer techniques to produce seedless tomato fruits and is currently working on the production of seedless watermelons.

Under natural circumstances, pollination is essential to produce normal watermelons and other fruits. However, factors such as temperature, insects, drought and unfavorable weather can affect pollination and reduce the productivity of those fruits.

Using the gene transfer process, Li is able to bypass Mother Nature by inserting a fusion gene into a fruit plant. This insertion will subsequently lead to the production of a plant hormone called auxin that will stimulate fruit growth and development without pollination or production of seeds.

"By doing this we can produce normal or larger-sized fruits without pollination," Li said. "Because there is no pollination of the fruit, the watermelon therefore will be seedless.

Li believes it should be useful to produce seedless watermelons because of a heavy consumer demand due to a better taste and a possible extended shelf life.

Costs associated with seedless and regular watermelons are quite different, according to Li. Currently the seedless varieties are more expensive because of higher costs associated with the production of plants that can produce seedless fruits. This translates into higher prices for the fruits in the stores. Li is hopeful the process will in the future reduce the price of seedless fruits.

Despite the fruits being seedless, Li said ways exist to produce seeds from seedless plants. These seeds will in turn
'"/>

Contact: Yi Li
(785) 532-6360
Kansas State University
24-Apr-1998


Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. First-ever Technology Transfer Fair featured at ACS National Meeting
2. Study: Microgravity May Enhance Gene Transfer In Plants
3. Researchers Make Breakthrough In Gene Transfer
4. Space Might Enhance Gene Transfer In Plants
5. Ameriflux Network Will Track CO2 Transfer In Forests
6. Pacific Northwest Staff Win National Awards For Transferring Research To Industry
7. Process triggered by some anti-cancer drugs causes tumors in mice, study finds
8. Scientists share multidisciplinary discoveries at Earth System Processes
9. International scientists probe unsolved puzzles of the Earth and beyond at "Earth System Processes"
10. Reproductive Signals Affect Lifespan In Roundworm C. Elegans, Offering Possible Insight Into Human Aging Process
11. Trash From Crop-Processing Plant Harvested For Disease-Fighting Agents

Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
TAG: Gene Transfer Process Generates Seedless Summer Days

(Date:2/7/2010)... NEW YORK An investigational drug that inhibits serotonin ... cured osteoporosis in mice and rats reports an international ... in the Feb. 7 issue of Nature Medicine ... recent research to stall bone formation. The finding could ... current drugs for osteoporosis can only prevent the breakdown ...
(Date:2/7/2010)... Scientists announced today (7 Feb) they have identified for ... in humans. The team analyzed more than 500,000 genetic ... variants which are located near a gene called TERC. ... published today by researchers from the University of Leicester ... in the Netherlands, was funded by The Wellcome Trust ...
(Date:2/5/2010)... OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Feb. 5, 2010 -- Scientists hope ... proposed experiment facility in northern Minnesota that would allow ... across a broad range of possibilities projected by climate ... to be built in a high-carbon spruce bog within ... questions about the effects climate change could have on ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Inhibiting serotonin in gut could cure osteoporosis 2Inhibiting serotonin in gut could cure osteoporosis 3Scientists identify first genetic variant linked to biological aging in humans 2New facility expected to clarify ecosystem responses to climate change 2New facility expected to clarify ecosystem responses to climate change 3Will Insurer 26 Drug Money Leash the Blue Dogs 3F 48384 1Will Insurer 26 Drug Money Leash the Blue Dogs 3F 48384 2Will Insurer 26 Drug Money Leash the Blue Dogs 3F 48384 3Will Insurer 26 Drug Money Leash the Blue Dogs 3F 48384 4 Acupuncture May Relieve Heartburn In Pregnancy 48380 1 Acupuncture May Relieve Heartburn In Pregnancy 48380 2 Acupuncture May Relieve Heartburn In Pregnancy 48380 3Thomson Reuters Offers Average Wholesale Pricing Information for Workers Compensation Drug Claims 48375 1Thomson Reuters Offers Average Wholesale Pricing Information for Workers Compensation Drug Claims 48375 2
(Date:2/8/2010)... NEW YORK , Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ ... specializing in investor relations and corporate communications for ... Lisa Lettieri and Matthew Haines ... and Matt bring outstanding senior-level advisory and corporate ... Lynn Morgen , co-founder of MBS. “Lisa’s ...
(Date:2/8/2010)... China , Feb. 8 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ ... or "the Company"), a leading China ... and marketing,biopharmaceutical products, today announced a collaboration ... develop and commercialize its,Nephoxil(R) pharmaceutical product for ... ,, Nephoxil (ferric ...
(Date:2/5/2010)... test to find undetected landmines. , Students from the ... glows green when it comes into contact with chemicals ... mixed into a colourless solution that, when sprayed on ... presence of landmines. , Researchers say that the ... from the air onto areas thought to contain landmines, ...
(Date:2/5/2010)... ,, COLLEGE PARK, Md. , ... ( www.renovalife.com ), a company developing research and ... the Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (Mtech) Technology Advancement ... The privately funded company, founded in February ... "The most important factors [for joining TAP] were ...
Breaking Biology Technology:MBS Value Partners Hires Two New Senior Staff Members 23SBio and Panacor Bioscience Enter Collaboration and License Agreement to Develop and Commercialize Nephoxil(R) for Hyperphosphatemia 23SBio and Panacor Bioscience Enter Collaboration and License Agreement to Develop and Commercialize Nephoxil(R) for Hyperphosphatemia 33SBio and Panacor Bioscience Enter Collaboration and License Agreement to Develop and Commercialize Nephoxil(R) for Hyperphosphatemia 4Renova Life Inc. Joins Mtech Incubator 2Renova Life Inc. Joins Mtech Incubator 3
Other News:
... work that emphasizes the need for stronger ... of MIT scientists and colleagues has unraveled ... or why the popular alternative medicine can ... the body.... ...Conflicting scientific articles report that ...
... NH White blood cells are the ... efforts to influence their role in illness ... of understanding of the surface structure of ... School researchers characterize the structure of white ...
... has licensed its patent for a natural ... of the 2004 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge ... a natural product called rhamnolipid to combat ... most economically damaging plant diseases in the ...
... MD, August 30, 2004-Scientists have capitalized ... diagnostic tests and to gain insight ... of the deadly pathogen Bacillus anthracis ... Arizona University (NAU), the Translational Genomics ...
MIT team explains yin-yang of ginseng 2Probing the surface of white blood cells to enhance immune system medicine 2Probing the surface of white blood cells to enhance immune system medicine 3University of Arizona licenses patent for natural fungicide 2Researchers improve detection of diverse anthrax strains 2
... School of Medicine are undertaking a pilot ... teenage mothers, as part of an ongoing ... families.......Dr Mourad Seif, a consultant obstetrician at ... pregnancy, and Dr Kate Ward of the ...
... 7, 2005) - One-third of children with asthma ... 18 will relapse and redevelop asthma by the ... published in the March issue of CHEST, the ... Physicians. The findings also suggest that children ...
... Dr. Frederick P. Guengerich, Professor of Biochemistry ... University, will discuss the many functions of ... C. Rose Award. The award will be ... 6 at 8:30 a.m. at the American ...
... One of nature's most versatile microorganisms ... could help mop up the ... of the chemical weapon mustard, write ... Technology and Biotechnology (http://www.interscience.wiley.com/jctb) this month.......At ...
University of Manchester pioneers study to support teenage mums' bone health 2Asthma relapse in children common, possible risk factors identified 2William C. Rose Award lecture will focus on cytochrome P450 2Could microbes solve Russia's chemical weapons conundrum? 2