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In the last decade scientists have managed to sequence the genomes of everything from bacteria and fruit flies to individual human beings. But often overlooked are the genomic sequences of our food. We know the genomes of apples, bananas, potatoes, wheat, rice and now watermelon.

A consortium of scientists from the United States, China and Europe has published the complete genome of the domesticated¹ watermelon—one of the top five consumed fresh fruits—in the journal Nature Genetics.

The group compared the genomes of 20 different watermelons across three different subspecies and found it takes roughly the same number of genes³ to make the sweet summer fruits as it does to make us.

They researchers also found that, in the process of being selected for color, size and taste, domestic watermelon lost many of the genes that helped their wild ancestors resist disease. They hope that breeders can now use the genetic² info to recover some of those natural disease defenses—as well as bringing a more nutritious⁴, and tastier fruit to your table. Without the seeds, of course.

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1 domesticated
adj.喜欢家庭生活的；（指动物）被驯养了的v.驯化( domesticate的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
He is thoroughly domesticated and cooks a delicious chicken casserole. 他精于家务，烹制的砂锅炖小鸡非常可口。来自《简明英汉词典》 The donkey is a domesticated form of the African wild ass. 驴是非洲野驴的一种已驯化的品种。来自《简明英汉词典》

2 genetic
adj.遗传的，遗传学的
参考例句：
It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。 Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。

3 genes
n.基因( gene的名词复数 )
参考例句：
You have good genes from your parents, so you should live a long time. 你从父母那儿获得优良的基因，所以能够活得很长。来自《简明英汉词典》 Differences will help to reveal the functions of the genes. 它们间的差异将会帮助我们揭开基因多种功能。来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 生物技术的世纪

4 nutritious
adj.有营养的，营养价值高的
参考例句：
Fresh vegetables are very nutritious.新鲜蔬菜富于营养。 Hummingbirds have discovered that nectar and pollen are very nutritious.蜂鸟发现花蜜和花粉是很有营养的。