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Potato famine genome secrets unlocked
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Author:  packy [ Wed Oct 09, 2013 8:37 am ]
Post subject:  Potato famine genome secrets unlocked

October 9, 2013 - 06:41


By: Rasmus Kragh Jakobsen

Using historical botanical collections, scientists have unlocked the genetic code of potato blight – the disease behind the great Irish Potato Famine. New study shows what made the potato famine so ruthlessly dangerous and why it’s still costing billions to fight it.

Phytophthora infestans, the dreaded microorganism behind the great Irish Potato Famine in 1845-52, killed up to a million Irish people and sent another million fleeing their country.

A Danish-led international research group has now sequenced the genome of the the Phytophthora infestans, using historical samples dating back to 1845 to figure out exactly what kind of disease it caused and what it is that still makes it so dangerous.
An annual $6-7 billion dollars is spent on fighting the disease, known as late blight, or potato blight.

Much more at link


http://sciencenordic.com/potato-famine- ... s-unlocked

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