Scientists use Loblolly pine from New Kent to sequence largest genetic code yet

VGTV morning newscast - May 20, 2014

10:35 a.m. EDT, May 19, 2014

RICHMOND - The Virginia Department of Forestry announced Monday that a team of scientists from across the nation has decoded the genome of a Virginia Loblolly pine tree.

With 22 billion base pairs, this is the largest genome ever sequenced. In comparison, the human genome has 3 billion base pairs.

Led by Dr. David Neale, professor of plant sciences at the University of California-Davis, the team used tissue from a single pine seedling obtained from the Virginia Department of Foresry and broke down the trees DNA into smaller, more manageable data pieces and analyzed them with a super-computer.

The team then re-assembled the pieces, figured out which genes were present, where they are on the genome, and what they do. This new approach, developed at the University of Maryland, enabled researchers to perform such a large and complex genome sequencing.

Its a huge genome, Neale said in a press release. But the challenge isnt just collecting all the sequence data. The problem is assembling that sequence into order. The contribution of a loblolly pine tree was critically important, not only for the genome sequencing but moreso for all those who follow and will now have completely open access to data and germplasm resources.

The Loblolly pine, grown in the orchard at the Forestry Department's New Kent Forestry Center, was selected for sequencing because of its broad distribution, economic value and long history of genetic research.

Jerre Creighton, VDOFs research program coordinator, said Loblolly pine is the most common tree species in Virginia and the most commercially important tree in the United States. Its the primary source of pulpwood (used to make paper) and sawtimber (lumber). Today, Loblolly pine is being developed as a potential feedstock for the emerging biofuel industry.

The results of this research is expected to help scientists breed improved varieties of Loblolly pines, some of which will be more resistant to pathogens, such as fusiform rust the most damaging disease of southern pines.

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Scientists use Loblolly pine from New Kent to sequence largest genetic code yet