Plant Scientists Identify Two New Genes and Enzymes in Tomato Plants

Anthony Schilmiller and Rob Last were part of a research team that has found that tomato plants use a different compound, neryl diphosphate, as the substrate for making monoterpenes. The difference is subtle but the discovery will change the way terpene research is done.  The research, published in the May 25 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could help researchers find new ways to protect plants from pests.