Eucalypt Genome Sequencing Project Mooted

With the human genome project well under way, researchers are keen to put Australia`s gum tree under the microscope to map its genetic information.

"The Eucalypt Genome Initiative (EGI) is a unique proposal with international significance," said Dr Keith Mitchelson, Technology Manager of the Australian Genome Research Facility (AGRF).

"Knowledge of the complete eucalypt genetic blueprint, about one sixth the size of the human genome, would revolutionise conservation biology and tree improvement research and will be a resource for research and breeding of better trees for the next 100 years.

"The genome project would establish Australia as a leading force in international genomics research and secure valuable intellectual property on behalf of the Australian public".

"Eucalypts are now the most widely planted hardwood in the world. The project would identify and track significant genes that control tree physiology and wood production," said Dr Glen Kile, Chief of the CSIRO Forestry and Forest Products.

"Eucalypt genomics will also help us conserve the ecological diversity of eucalypts by knowledge of their important genetic differences and their natural development into different species."

A consortium has been formed including the AGRF, CSIRO, Universities of Queensland, Melbourne, Monash, Tasmania and Southern Cross, Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Production Forestry, State forest agencies, and private forest company Saltgrow Pty Ltd, to advance the project.

The national EGI would cost approximately $60 million and take three to four years to complete.

"Eucalypts are the most important genus occurring naturally in Australia and one of the nation’s most identifiable symbols," said Professor Jim Reid of the Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Production Forestry.

"Eucalypts are vital to the nation’s well being," says Professor Reid. "They are critically important in our landscape for conservation, aesthetics, land protection and land remediation, biodiversity habitat and commercial forestry."

Director of the Australian Genome Research Facility and Professor at The University of Queensland, Professor John Mattick AO applauds the commitment of the consortium to furthering genomic exploration and biotechnology`s development in Australia with the EGI.

"Genomic exploration, via the analysis of DNA sequence, sequence variation and patterns of gene expression, is in its infancy, and there is a world of biological diversity to explore and understand," Professor Mattick AO said.

"Projects such as the EGI are vitally important and central to current biological science, and highlight Australia`s abilities in the `new economy` areas of biotechnology and information systems.

"The EGI project would provide a world-class training-base for a new generation of Australian bio-informaticists, using national genomics capacity and facilitating the integration of premier genomics and bioinformatics facilities."

For further information or interview:

Prof. John Mattick AO Ph: 07 3365 4395
Helen Weatherley Ph: 0421 056 980