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Peeling the Banana Genome
harnessing the power of genomic research
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The banana is a staple food for many countries.
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Due to Panama disease, bananas are being wiped out.
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By genome sequencing, scientists were able to modify the corn to be resistant to insects.
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The banana is a staple food for many countries.
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Our Favorite Fruit, Gone?
Imagine you are a banana farmer struggling to keep your family alive as the Panama disease sweeps down and tears apart your fields. On other farms, countless banana trees are destroyed by this silent fungus.
This scenario is only too common in recent times, where countries dependent on the banana as a food crop struggle as the Panama disease wipes out the Cavendish banana. Due to the banana being a cloned fruit, the disease is able to spread quickly from tree to tree as each banana contains the same vulnerability to the Panama Disease.
However, the banana still can be saved through genome sequencing. By using genome sequencing, scientists can genetically modify a banana that is immune to the Panama disease.
A Look at the Numbers...
The graph below shows the cost of computing and sequencing genomes, in comparison to the number of sequenced genomes. Over the past decade, costs drastically decreased
and the number of sequenced genomes grew drastically due to the development of better and more efficient technology.
Why Genome Sequencing?
Genome sequencing is important because it allows scientists to truly see how genetic matter affects us, and change the way we see life by eliminating "bad" genes and promoting "normal" genes, which could possibly be used to save someone from a life of disease or illness. H.2
Genome Sequencing Costs
Although genome sequencing was one a very expensive process, costs have almost exponentially decreased, due to developing technology. Soon it may be under a hundred dollars, making genome sequencing easy access for the public.
Other Uses of Genome Sequencing
Since the sequencing of the Aedes mosquito, scientists have created a GMO (Aedes agypti) mosquito that is sterile in order to slow the spread of the Zika virus. As shown in the graphs below, the areas with sterile mosquitoes have less wild mosquitoes overall. This led to less patients testing positive for Zika.
See Sequenced Organisms to learn more about other organisms and reasons for being sequenced!
Hopes for the Future
By being able to sequence genomes, scientists are able to see the different pieces of DNA that code for certain genes. From there, the information can be used to create GMO's or to identify dangerous mutations and possibly try to prevent or stop the mutation from taking major effect. H.3
Want to Learn More About What's Going on with Bananas (and others)?
Check out these articles!
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