International Solanaceae Genomics Project (SOL)
Systems Approach to Diversity and Adaptation

Over the coming decade the International Solanaceae Genome Project (SOL) will create a coordinated network of knowledge about the Solanaceae family aimed at answering two of the most important questions about life and agriculture:
  • How can a common set of genes/proteins give rise to such a wide range of morphologically and ecologically distinct organisms that occupy our planet?
  • How can a deeper understanding of the genetic basis of diversity be harnessed to better meet the needs of society in an environmentally-friendly way?
On this page, you will find more information about the strategy used to answer these questions. A whitepaper is available with more details. It contains contributions from Solanaceae scientists around the world. The whitepaper and the accompanying Powerpoint presentation are meant to be resources for people who want to write grants in the International Solanaceae framework. All texts and images can be used freely.
SOL sites around the world 
  • Lat-SOL - South American SOL laboratories
  • SRCUK - Solanaceae Research Community in the United Kingdom
News 
  • Detailed instructions on how to perform the BAC validation procedure involving the IL lines, contributed by Giovanni Giuliano, are now available [ppt] [Mar 29, 2007].
  • The tomato genome sequencing guidelines on finishing have been thoroughly revised by Karen McLaren [google doc] [Mar 29, 2007].
  • The letter of intent for the pennellii sequencing project submitted to JGI [pdf] has been approved for a full proposal submission. Please consider writing a letter of support [draft letter doc]. Send to jv27@cornell.edu by February 20, 2007.
  • The SOL-100 white paper is available [Dec 5, 2006] [pdf]
  • A new document describing the basis of the euchromatin size of tomato is available [Sept 6, 2006]. [pdf]
  • The Dutch BAC extension protocol is now available! [pdf] [Feb 3, 2006]
  • Australia has been added to the SOL countries write-up. [Aug 9, 2005]
  • A new version of the seed BAC selection guidelines is available. [Jan 12, 2005]
  • The next Solanaceae Genome Workshop 2005 will be held on the Island of Ischia, Italy. More information | Meeting website.
  • Tomato Sequencing Overview page is now available on SGN.
  • The California Tomato Research Institute, Inc. (CTRI) announces the formation of Tomato Public SNP Consortium
SOL Resources 
SOL Bioinformatics pages
SOL bioinformatics pages with meeting notes, powerpoint slides, etc
SOL Newsletters
Seed BAC Selection Guidelines
[pdf] [html]
Updated whitepaper [Sept 4, 2004]
The updated whitepaper is now conveniently available in 5 parts:
[pdf] Part I – The SOL vision
[pdf] Part II – Solanaceae Crops
[pdf] Part III – Solanaceae Countries [updated August 9, 2005]
[pdf] Part IV – Tomato Sequencing Strategy
[Writely] Part V – Bioinformatics Standards and Guidelines
New! Available as a Writely document.
You can request edit privileges by contacting us.

 [updated September 1, 2006]
[ppt] SOL Project presentation slides [updated December 31, 2003]
Call for BACs - Sequencing your favorite BACs as part of SOL [March 11, 2004]
If you would like to have a specific tomato BAC sequenced as part of the SOL tomato genome project, please submit it using these instructions. BACs that are anchored to a genetic map are considered with high priority.
International Solanaceae Meeting [11/15/2003]
Location: Washington, D.C. (Holiday Inn Dulles International)

Date: November 3, 2003

The purpose of the meeting was to determine the feasibility, utility, strategy and level of international interest/commitment for sequencing the tomato genome as a reference for the family Solanaceae and other closely related plant families. The workshop brought together and international group of scientists to discuss:
  1. the current status of Solanaceae research - including aspects of plant biology for which Solanaceous species are a preferred model,
  2. the impact of sequencing the tomato genome on research in the Solanaceae and plant biology in general,
  3. sequencing strategy,
  4. mechanisms by which such a sequencing project can be conducted as part of a multinational consortium, and 5) strategies for sequence information management, curation and public dissemination.
Complete meeting summary: [html] [pdf (U.S. letter)] [pdf (A4)] [doc]