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."

Re:A Cure At Last

[ArcadeMan]

If they succeed, it will bring a whole new meaning to "morning wood".

I'm Inferior To A Tree

[Jim Sadler]

All those genes make humans look like flunkies. And knowing a tiny bit about Darwin maybe we could take into account that a pine tree can easily outlive any human ever born. And pine trees tend to have a very long history of reproduction compared to humans. So maybe all the thinking, feeling and running about that humans do is simply proof of our inferiority. think about it. The pine tree needs water, sunshine, a few minerals and an atmosphere and that is about it. Humans need all kinds of things. I've never seen a tree shoot anyone, go mental, or rape other trees. Trees might enjoy making humans feel like idiots.

Pine trees know how to make backups

[mysidia]

The team found that 82% of the genome was made up of duplicated segments, compared with just 25% in humans.

See! The pine trees are smart and make multiple copies of their genome segments, for backup purposes. Humans always forget the importance of backups, until it's too late.

Re:I'm Inferior To A Tree

[Samantha Wright]

Yes. All old things are superior. Like typewriters, glaciers, and expired milk.

Re:I'm Inferior To A Tree

[Cryacin]

The last tree to call me a knuckle dragging, chainsaw wielding idiot didn't last too long after I got the mud out of my chainsaw.

Re:A Cure At Last

[stoploss]

Trees are just skin and bones! (And plumbing. And really crazy hair. And roots. And sometimes genitals.)

You forgot the homunculi... tree reproduction is via proxy. Every spring I'm overwhelmed by billions of tree cumbots irritating my respiratory epithelium.

Let them take their filthy sperm tube forming function elsewhere.