Apr 28, 2016

Technique accelerates isolation of blight resistance genes

Researchers at the Sainsbury Laboratory and Genome Analysis Center have developed a method of accelerating the isolation of plant disease resistance genes

Several candidates were introduced into a model species, of which
one (Rpi-amr3) successfully provided broad-spectrum blight
resistance. Photo: Sainsbury Laboratory

A new source of blight resistance genes was also found in a wild relative of the potato, Phys.org reports.

Here’s more from Phys.org:

The TSL team investigated the wild potato relative, Solanum americanum, which carries several resistance genes, and by using the new technique, rapidly isolated a new resistance gene, Rpi-amr3.

SMRT RenSeq makes the process of finding, defining and introducing genetic resistance far quicker and easier by combining two sequencing techniques: ‘RenSeq’ (Resistance gene ENrichment SEQuencing) and ‘SMRT’ ( Single-Molecule Real Time sequencing).