European ash pangenome could help researchers breed a generation of trees resistant to ash dieback
In a study published in the journal Nature Communications, researchers from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Forest Research and collaborating organizations present the first-ever European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) pangenome, using high-quality DNA to aid research into natural ash dieback resistance.
A groundbreaking European ash pangenome study, published in Nature Communications, may pave the way for creating ash trees resistant to ash dieback, a devastating disease affecting British treescapes. Researchers from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Forest Research and other collaborating organizations have constructed the first-ever European ash pangenome using high-quality DNA from 50 diverse trees.
This pangenome, 22% larger than a single genome, offers a more comprehensive view of ash susceptibility to pathogens by identifying dispensable genes not present in every individual. Of the 3,400 genes identified, 16 dispensable genes may confer resistance to ash dieback, potentially aiding in breeding resistant populations by pinpointing the most promising trees genetically.
This powerful tool could also be applied to other traits such as environmental resilience and resistance to the emerald ash borer beetle. Dr. Daniel Wood, the study's lead author, emphasizes the importance of the pangenome in understanding the genetic basis of disease resistance and other traits. The research, part of the Center for Forest Protection, aims to foster research supporting the health and resilience of the UK's forests and woodlands.
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