Overview

I characterize genetic variation in gene bank vegetable collections using molecular tools.

Research Focus

At the USDA-ARS Plant Genetic Resources Unit (PGRU) approximately 200 plant species are conserved as collections of seed, including: tomato, onion, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, celery, asparagus, tomatillo, ground cherry, winter squash, radish, and buckwheat. We apply molecular, population and quantitative genetic techniques in order to describe, evaluate and better manage the collections. We also perform chemical evaluations in the lab for quality components of vegetables, such as, vitamin C, sugar, acidity and lycopene.

Outreach and Extension Focus

I lead science outreach to local elementary and high school students using "Extract DNA from a banana in your kitchen!" hands-on demonstration.

Instruction Focus

I lead PCR laboratory module for Dr. A. Taylor’s Seed Science and Technology class CSS3107.

Additional Links

• Plant Genetic Resources Unit
• USDA-ARS profile
• VIVO profile

Selected Publications

• Labate, J.A., L.D. Robertson, and A.M. Baldo. 2009. Multilocus sequence data reveal extensive departures from equilibrium in domesticated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Heredity 103:257-267.
• Labate, J.A., L.D. Robertson, F. Wu, S.D. Tanksley, and A.M. Baldo. 2009. EST, COSII, and arbitrary gene markers give similar estimates of nucleotide diversity in cultivated tomato (S. lycopersicum L.). Theor Appl Genet 118:1005–1014.
• Labate, J.A., L.D. Robertson, A.M. Baldo, and T.N. Björkman. 2006. Inflorescence identity gene alleles are poor predictors of inflorescence type in broccoli and cauliflower. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 131:667-673.
• Labate, J.A., and A.M. Baldo. 2005. Tomato SNP discovery by EST mining and resequencing. Mol. Breeding 16:343-349.
• Labate, J.A. 2008. Molecular markers in germplasm conservation. p. 45-74. In C. Kole and A.G. Abbott, (eds.) Principles and practices of plant genomics: Vol 2 Molecular breeding. Science Publishers Inc., New Hampshire, USA; Plymouth, UK.
• Labate, J.A., S. Grandillo, T. Fulton, S. Muños, A.L. Caicedo, I. Peralta, Y. Ji, R.T. Chetelat, et al. (39 authors in total). 2007. Tomato. p. 1-125. In C. Kole (ed.) Genome mapping and molecular breeding in plants: Vol 5 Vegetables. Springer Publishing Co., NY.
• Robertson, L.D., and J.A. Labate. 2007. Genetic resources of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum var. esculentum) and wild relatives. p. 25-75. In M.K. Razdan and A.K. Mattoo (eds.) Genetic improvement of Solanaceous crops vol. I: Tomato, Science Publishers Inc., New Hampshire, USA; Plymouth, UK.

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