Tomato is a next-generation model plant for research and development

Abstract

As a preface for the tomato special issue, a significance of tomato for research and development was described. Tomato is a model species of Solanaceae, and its genome is currently being sequenced. In order to fully utilize the genome information, scientists have to develop resources and tools for tomato functional genomics. In this special issue, such resources and tools, mainly developed by Japanese scientists were reviewed. In addition, scientific name of tomato was discussed because, for tomato being a model plant, scientists should use a common word for tomato. JSHS © 2009.