Why study trichomes in the Solanum?
We are taking an integrated approach to lay the foundation for a longer-term ‘systems biology’ understanding of the entire network of genes and proteins involved in the development of each of the different types of SGT found in Solanum plants and the genes and enzymes responsible for their biosynthetic capacity. Tomato and other solanaceous species have strong advantages for the study of such complex biological processes. These are important domestic and international crops (examples include tomato, pepper, potato, eggplant, and tobacco), offering opportunities for translation of our basic research to economically important species and varieties. There is a robust and growing SOL community that uses tomato as a genomics reference species for the study of many related species. This cross-referencing of genomic and genetic resources is facilitated by strong genome conservation at the macro and micro levels, especially within the Solanaceae. Species within the Solanum are inter-fertile, a
