Image ModifiedIdentifying genomic resources against pests and pathogens in tree genera: a case study in Fraxinus

Led by Dr Richard Buggs, Queen Mary, University of London

British ash trees are not only threatened by ash dieback (ADB), but also by the emerald ash borer (EAB) beetle which has killed tens of millions of trees in North America. In the long term, Britain needs ash trees that are resistant to both ash dieback and EAB. To achieve this, we need to study genes in the whole ash genus, which consists of about 50 species worldwide. Initial studies suggest that some of these species are resistant to either or both ADB and EAB due to co-evolution. This project will pioneer the application of a new method for finding the genes responsible for these traits. This works by building evolutionary trees for thousands of genes within the ash genus and examining how patterns of gene evolution fit with patterns of resistance to ADB and EAB. This evolutionary approach may allow us to identify the genes that may be involved in resistance.

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This project is in partnership with Forest Research and University of Oxford (project participants).