Scientists are unlocking the genetic secrets of some of Scotland’s favourite plant species – a breakthrough that will bring a greater understanding of biodiversity across Britain and Ireland – thanks to experts at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and partners in the Darwin Tree of Life (DToL) project. The groundbreaking initiative aims to sequence the genomes of all 72,000 plants, animals, fungi and other living organisms across the UK and Ireland.
The team in Edinburgh is tasked with identifying and collecting material from native species including Scottish beardmoss, rowan and wych elm, the specimens are then coded by colleagues in the project led by the Wellcome Sanger Institute. The complex process is now gathering pace, with data being made freely available to other researchers.
Earlier this year, Botanics’ scientists collected samples for sequencing from an apparently disease resilient elm in the Borders that had survived the devastating impact of Dutch elm disease. Known informally as the Jedburgh Giant, our geneticists are currently propagating the tree with other mature elms with the hope that they can rear ‘super survivors.’
Other plants being sampled include a lonely rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) in the Scottish Borders which had survived predation by sheep and became known as The Survivor Tree of Carrifran.
David Bell, sample coordinator for the Darwin Tree of Life at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh said:
“Compared to humans, many plants have surprisingly large amounts of DNA, making their sequencing extremely complex. At a time when so many species are under threat from climate change, pests and diseases, the DToL programme has never been more important.