Calling all birders. Before we start the show, we need your help. We are looking for your high-drama

bird tales, a time when birding gave you a thrill. Did you break the law to catch a glimpse of

that Gunnison Sagegrouse? Did you scream when you finally saw that Curtland's warbler? Did you fall from your

two-story bird blind in pursuit of one of the birds on your life list? Surprise us. The lines are

open for your bird calls, 8774 SciFri. That's 877 for SciFri. Hey there, it's Ira Flato, and you're

listening to Science Friday.

Today on the podcast, how scientists are taking genes from eggplants to make bigger tomatoes.

The modern tomatoes took hundreds of years to develop from the wild species, and now we can do it basically in one generation.

Okay. to develop from the wild species. And now we can do it basically in one generation. It's that time of the year when I'm planting what's going into my garden.

And just to be honest, I have to confess to being a tomato nerd.

To me, tomatoes are the easiest to grow, the easiest to take care of, and you have such a

great variety of sizes and flavors. And when I'm looking at my plants, I'm also always wondering about

what's going on at the genetic level, what's going on inside the plant? What's making tomatoes

red or yellow, tiny, or giant? So, when I found out that

researchers are working to map the genomes of 22 different varieties of nightshades, the family

of plants, which include tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants, well, I just had to know more. And the

exciting news, at least to wee night shaders,

is that they've located the genes that control the size of tomatoes and eggplants

and then use CRISPR gene editing to grow bigger fruits.

I want to know more.

Joining me to talk about his research and the current state of genetically modified crops

is Dr. Michael Schatz,

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