Oak genomics proves its worth
Last updated: 17 Apr, 2020
18 months after the full pedunculate oak genome sequence was published by a French consortium led by INRAE and CEA, some initial results based on this genomic resource have been written up in a series of articles in New Phytologist. These new results help clarify the oak's evolution, from the deep roots of its diversification through the more recent evolution of the European white oaks, and identify key genes involved in its adaptation to certain environments or resistance to pathogens.
The keystones of forest ecosystems, trees – especially oaks – are also model organisms for determining the ecological and evolutionary processes responsible for plant diversification and adaptation to the environment.
A 350-year-old oak tree prized for the manufacture of barrels for Bordeaux wine, courtesy of Didier Bert.
Of the 10 articles published in New Physiologist, seven were co-authored by INRAE researchers, including four based on cooperation between the UMR BIOGECO in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France, and its long-standing partners such as Morton Arboretum in Chicago and the Genoscope at the CEA's François Jacob Institute of Biology.
Read our blog post and check out the Feature issue here.