Articles
Genomics on ornamental plants and flowers decorating the Japanese culture and traditions
Article number
1434_16
Pages
115 – 120
Language
English
Abstract
Culture and traditions have evolved alongside ornamental plants and flowers.
In Japan, flowering cherries, commonly known as sakura, are widely recognized as symbols of spring, particularly in March to April.
The azalea, known as tsutsuji and satsuki, blooms in early summer, typically in May.
Subsequently, in June, hydrangea flowers grace the landscape as the rainy season commences.
As fall arrives in September, we celebrate the season with chrysanthemums.
Our research group has been working on genomics of plants, including the ornamental trees and flowers.
The genome sequences of sakura, azalea, hydrangea, and chrysanthemum have been published and are available from the Plant GARDEN database (https://plantgarden.jp). Using the genome data, we have isolated genes conferring attractive traits, which could be useful for breeding programs to decorate Japanese culture and traditions.
In addition, we have initiated an outreach program to develop DNA testing kits for cherry blossom forecasting.
This allows everyone to enjoy predicting the flowering date by analyzing gene expression under their own trees.
Moreover, to understand Japanese culture and traditions from the perspective of genomics, we launched the Washoku Genome Consortium (https://washoku.kazusa.or.jp) to facilitate genome studies focusing on foods and lives in our own country.
Uniting such genome projects conducted worldwide would shed light not only on answering scientific questions but also on understanding the foundations of social communities.
In Japan, flowering cherries, commonly known as sakura, are widely recognized as symbols of spring, particularly in March to April.
The azalea, known as tsutsuji and satsuki, blooms in early summer, typically in May.
Subsequently, in June, hydrangea flowers grace the landscape as the rainy season commences.
As fall arrives in September, we celebrate the season with chrysanthemums.
Our research group has been working on genomics of plants, including the ornamental trees and flowers.
The genome sequences of sakura, azalea, hydrangea, and chrysanthemum have been published and are available from the Plant GARDEN database (https://plantgarden.jp). Using the genome data, we have isolated genes conferring attractive traits, which could be useful for breeding programs to decorate Japanese culture and traditions.
In addition, we have initiated an outreach program to develop DNA testing kits for cherry blossom forecasting.
This allows everyone to enjoy predicting the flowering date by analyzing gene expression under their own trees.
Moreover, to understand Japanese culture and traditions from the perspective of genomics, we launched the Washoku Genome Consortium (https://washoku.kazusa.or.jp) to facilitate genome studies focusing on foods and lives in our own country.
Uniting such genome projects conducted worldwide would shed light not only on answering scientific questions but also on understanding the foundations of social communities.
Authors
K. Shirasawa
Keywords
genomics, Japanese culture and traditions, sequencing technologies, social communities, Washoku
Online Articles (52)