Genetic resources

Preservation of genetic resources is one of the most important problems which arise in our modern society. Creation of a Nicotiana collection by Altadis meets this need. This gene bank contains more than 1100 accessions and is an essential tool for tobacco breeders. Every tobacco type is included (Flue-cured, Burley, Dark air-cured...).

Apart from the simple collection of new varieties, and more rarely of species, and their conservation, the maintenance of a collection consists of its evaluation, in genetic and agronomic characterization of these accessions, and in the recording of information in a data base.

The Tobacco Institute also goes to considerable lengths to identify genes implied in quality improvement of raw tobacco. Chemical characteristics of smoke are indeed closely related to genetic background of tobacco varieties used in cigarette industry.

Genome study by sequencing of a large number of expressed tobacco genes (ESTobacco project) and elaboration of a genetic map of N tabacum should allow in coming years a better understanding of existing synergies between genes implied in complex phenomena: for example, tar or other undesirable compounds formation in cigarette smoke.

Absence of GMOs among the seeds produced by the Tobacco Institute, and in raw tobacco used in manufacture of cigarettes is today a major challenge for Altadis. Advanced technique like real-time PCR allows to check this.