Exploring an ancient event in pumpkin, gourd and melon evolution

Recently, scientists have making great strides in better understanding with the genomes sequenced of cucumber, watermelon, and melons. With these projects completed, a research team has performed the first large comparative genomics exploration of their genome structures and evolution. After reconstructing evolutionary trees and extensive comparisons of common genes between Cucurbitaceae plants, unexpectedly, the research team has found the first evidence of an ancient whole genome duplication event.