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Pine Tree Has Largest Genome Ever Sequenced

sciencehabit (1205606) writes "Using a single pollinated pine seed, researchers have sequenced the entire genome of the loblolly pine tree--and it's a doozy. The tree's genome is largest yet sequenced: 22.18 billion base pairs, more than seven times longer than the human genome. The team found that 82% of the genome was made up of duplicated segments, compared with just 25% in humans. The researchers also identified genes responsible for important traits such as disease resistance, wood formation, and stress response."

1 of 71 comments (clear)

  1. As a Bonsai artist by cyberzephyr · · Score: 1, Insightful

    I'm not surprised. trees and plants were here before we were.

    --
    I'm here for the experience, not the Hyperbole.