Furthermore the quality of the sequencing is better , says Werner Mewes from the Munich Information Centre for Protein Sequences. Evolution and duplication of the genome Analysis of the sequence has revealed a dynamic genome, enriched by transfer of bacterial genes from the precursor of the plastid. The Arabidopsis genome underwent a likely complete duplication approximately 110 million years ago. Genome duplication has played a large role in shaping the genomes of crop plants, and the analysis of the Arabidopsis sequence now provides major opportunities to understand chromosome behaviour and how evolution deals with duplicated genes. Arabidopsis centromeres curiously contain some 50 genes which are expressed.
Plants synthesise all their nutrients from air water and minerals in the soil.
This remarkable metabolic capacity is due in part to genes derived from a photosynthetic bacteria related to present-day cyanobacteria, denizens of hot pools. These genes have evolved by transfer to the nucleus. Understanding of plant processes The implications arising from the genome sequence of the first plant extend beyond basic science. Scientists can now be expected to achieve a very detailed understanding of processes unique to plants, such as their complex and unique metabolism, how they interact with their environment, and how they cope with a vast array of pests and diseases. From the genes of Arabidopsis it will be increasingly possible to predict, identify and isolate most genes in any plant and so the present discoveries provide a leap forward for improving the value of all plants, including the key crops.