Researchers reveal genome of pea aphid

University of Otago scientists are part of an international group which yesterday published the complete genome of the pea aphid, an achievement which could help create new weapons to fight this damaging agricultural pest.

A genome contains all the hereditary information of an organism, including its genes and non-coding sequences of the DNA.

The genome's publication, in the United States journal PLoS Biology, marks the culmination of a six-year project involving more than 200 researchers from 15 countries.

Genetics Otago director Associate Prof Peter Dearden, who led Otago University's contribution, said New Zealand was "a long way from the centres of gravity" of such research: most of the project's researchers were based in Europe or the US.

"It's great that we can make a contribution that's recognised as being worthwhile and useful."

Some other aphids, including the blue-green lucerne aphid, were more destructive agricultural pests in New Zealand than the pea aphid, but the genomic data would help combat several such species.

Aphids were leading agricultural pests and a biosecurity risk to New Zealand, the vast majority of them here being introduced species.

This research would help to reduce their significant economic impact "by enabling us to develop tailor-made insecticides".

Drs Elizabeth Duncan, Megan Wilson and James Smith are members of Prof Dearden's research group, supported by grants for the genomic work from Otago University and the National Research Centre for Growth and Development.

The collaborative research was "really exciting", Dr Duncan said.

Aphids are capable of both sexual and asexual reproduction, so a single aphid finding itself in a new area can reproduce without requiring a mate.

Although the aphid genome is smaller than that of humans, it is still 464 million base-pairs long, requiring a giant international scientific effort to unlock its genetic secrets.

john.gibb@odt.co.nz