Complete eucaplytus genome released

In South Africa, a team of international researchers, led by Prof Zander Myburg with the University of Pretoria, in collaboration with the US DOE Joint Genome Institute, made available the complete genome sequence of the forest tree species, Eucalyptus grandis. It took the team, who had the support of a network of more than 130 Eucalyptus researchers from 18 countries, four years to complete the genome sequence and annotate more than 40,000 genes contained within it.

Eucalyptus trees grow very fast and can deliver the necessary biomass for making biofuels and other renewable products.

Prof. Myburg stated, “Trees are advantageous when it comes to producing biomass. Unlike seasonal crops, they can be harvested year-round to supply a stable supply of biomass. In general they also don’t compete with food crops. In addition, wood processing is well established in the pulp and paper industry. Similar processing can be used to isolate the cellulose from the wood for biofuels and other products.”  In South Africa, eucalypt plantations form the basis of commercial forestry, and specifically of multi-billion Rand industries like the pulp and paper industry. With the sequencing of the eucalypt genome, this industry now has access to information and technology to breed trees with desirable properties for a range of end products.