Scientists have unveiled a groundbreaking tree of life using an impressive 1.8 billion letters of genetic code. In a recent study published in Nature by an international team of 279 scientists, including experts from the University of Michigan, new insights into the flowering plant tree of life have emerged.
Through the analysis of 1.8 billion letters of genetic code from over 9,500 species, covering nearly 8,000 known flowering plant genera, researchers have shed light on the evolutionary history of these plants on Earth. Led by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the study aims to aid in the identification of new species, refine plant classification, discover medicinal compounds, and combat climate change and biodiversity loss.
This milestone project, involving 138 organizations worldwide, was powered by advanced genetic sequencing techniques. The data generated allows for the study of more than 800 species never before sequenced and offers crucial insights into plant evolution.
Despite the enormous data volume requiring 18 years on a single computer to process, the study was a major step towards creating a tree of life for all 330,000 known flowering plant species. The project not only enriched our understanding of plant evolution but also paved the way for future botanical discoveries.
The study’s co-lead author, Tom Carruthers from U-M, emphasized the significance of the findings in unraveling the evolutionary history of flowering plants. This extensive tree of life provides a strong foundation for future studies and applications in the field of plant science.
