A TEAM of international scientists have sequenced the draft genome of the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis, the major commercial source of natural rubber.
The manuscript describing the draft genome is published in BMC Genomics.
The team identified around 12.7% of the almost 70,000 genes as unique, and outlined those associated with rubber biosynthesis, rubber wood formation, disease resistance and allergenicity.
The industry’s rubber is affected by rubber blight – a fungal disease – and natural rubber allergenicity, a global medical concern for those repeatedly exposed to latex-containing products like gloves. The researchers believe that this draft genome information will facilitate the development of high-yielding natural rubber plants and will support latex production, wood development, disease resistance and allergenicity. (RJA)
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