Functional genomics in strawberry

Functional-genomics tools such as Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) and whole genome sequencing, gene expression using macro and micro arrays and generation of mutant populations contributed greatly to the research on model plants, mainly Arabidopsis thaliana. A substantial portion of this "tool-box" might also be utilized successfully for research on non-model plants, which are more difficult and time consuming to deal with, but allow investigations of unique biological processes such as fruit flavour biogenesis. A focal point of this study was to obtain a detailed "picture" of the genetic mechanisms governing strawberry fruit ripening. Of main interest was the biosynthesis of flavour and aroma compounds, a process hardly investigated at the molecular level in fruits. We utilised an array of molecular and biochemical tools to monitor the dramatic changes occurring in strawberry fruit during its maturation. Apart from observing the ripening process as a whole, we also performed more focused studies, isolating and characterising new genes taking part in the metabolism of important ripening metabolites such as aroma components. We demonstrate that the integration of emerging functional genomic practices will be an invaluable approach both for gene discovery and for understanding the biology of non-model plant species such as strawberry.