Mountain Pine Beetle Genome Decoded
April 3, 2013| |
Researchers at the University of Northern British Columbia and University of Alberta have decoded the genome of the mountain pine beetle, the insect that has destructed the lodgepole pine forests in British Columbia, Canada. This is the second beetle ever sequenced following the red flour beetle.
The data reveals that there is a massive variation among individuals of the species, about four times greater than the variation in humans. The team also discovered a bacterial gene that has transferred into the genome of the beetle. The gene codes for an enzyme that digests sugars, helping them to thrive better in their environments.
According to Christopher Keeling, one of the researchers of the study, knowing the genome of the beetle will help manage any potential epidemic in the future.
Read more about the results of the study at http://www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/2013/03/26/mountain-pine-beetle-genome-decoded/.
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