Ash genome reveals fungus resistance

15 June 2013 Last updated at 19:20 ET By Tom Heap BBC Countryfile

Scientists have sequenced the genome of a type of ash tree with resistance to the deadly fungal disease sweeping the UK.

The development could be the starting point for breeding a strain of ash to replace thousands expected to succumb to ash die-back in the next few years.

Ash die-back is now established and spreading within Britain

Researchers are hoping that genetics might yield the knowledge to fight back.

A joint project by the John Innes Centre, the Genome Analysis Centre and the Sainsbury Laboratory - all based in Norwich - have reached this milestone just two months after receiving the samples.

Dr Mario Caccamo of the Genome Analysis Centre said: "Speed is important to the research so that all those studying the epidemic can start to look for clues to tackle it."

And they do mean everyone.

All the data is being put on a crowd sourcing website OpenAshDieBack to enable experts from around the world to help identify genes that might be connected to the trees' ability to withstand the fungus.

These genes could then be part of a breeding programme for resistant trees.

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Ash genome reveals fungus resistance