Tomato Hair May Help Scientists Understand Human Disease Resistance
If you’ve ever looked closely at a tomato stem, you’ll notice that it’s covered with many short hairs.
Researchers in the US have been studying those hairs, called glandular trichomes, in hopes of learning more about human disease resistance.
They revealed their findings at a major biotechnology conference in Canberra, Australia.
“Trichomes create the pungent aroma of ripe tomato and they are also biochemical factories of defensive compounds that deter insect pests and invading pathogens,” Professor Rob Last, a geneticist at Michigan State University, said.
How fascinating - the smell of tomato plants is one of the best aromas in the world, to me. Who knew that it was caused by the hairs on the stem? Who would have imagined that they were also responsible for a defense against those pesky insects and diseases?
As the scientists investigated, they have found enzymes and pathways that create the natural immune defenses in the tomato plant and relatives.
The hope is that they can use these findings to better understand the complex immunological defenses present in the human body.
“Through our advanced understanding of the genetic make-up of plants, animals and humans we are learning that the three have more in common than previously thought,” Prof Last said.
I also found another proposition intriguing. In a separate story, two companies - Evogene and Compugen - are studying whether the wild tomato could be used to produce therapeutic proteins. They chose the tomato because of the trichomes.
Hopefully, these new discoveries surrounding tomato hair will benefit the human race. Simply fascinating.
Source
Source
http://news.theage.com.au/national/tomato-hair-may-explain-human-resistance-20080922-4llu.html
October 9th, 2008 at 5:04 am
Once again, the amazing tomato becomes even more amazing. And we’re right there with you on the scent of tomato vines. Even as we were taking down the last of them for composting this past weekend, we had to take the time to compare the unique aroma of each variety. Something to hold us over till next spring.