Scientists Hunt Eucalyptus DNA SYDNEY, Australia, July 4, 2007 -
Australian and international scientists have launched a search
for the genetic secrets of the humble eucalyptus tree, which is
native to Australia and highly prized as a source of fibre for
producing paper. The Australian government-backed Commonwealth
Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) said on
Wednesday that an international effort had begun to decode the
eucalyptus genome. "We are identifying the trees that have
superior genes that influence the way wood is developed," CSIRO
scientist Simon Southerton said. "Qualities like wood stiffness,
density, pulp yield, responsiveness to stresses such as salt and
drought and overall growth rates will be linked with particular
genes, making future breeding programs more efficient," he said.
The scientific effort will not involve genetic modification,
involves two dozen institutions worldwide. It is led by
Alexander Myburg of the University of Pretoria in South Africa,
with the support