The Persimmon Genome

Prof. Ryutaro Tao is a molecular geneticist in the area of fruit tree science. He has been a professor of Kyoto University since 1988. Prof. Tao’s research career was started when he started his graduation thesis study on the development of tissue and cell culture system for persimmon ( Diospyros kaki ) in 1983 at Kyoto University. Since then, he has been working on persimmons. He has been also working on the reproduction biology of fruit tree species in Diospyros and the Rosaceae, utilizing molecular, genetic, and genomic techniques. He has been extensively working on the sexual system in Diospyros and Actinidia for the last 10 years.

Prof. Zhengrong Luo is a pomology scientist, especially working on persimmon physiology, genetics and breeding.  He has been a professor of Huazhong Agricultural University since 1996. Luo’s initial research career was on citrus environment tolerance from 1982 to 1992 of his graduate thesis and earlyprofession. Since 1993, he has been working on origin, evolution, molecular breeding and molecular biology in persimmon for more than 25 years.