Until now the cut down of the trees was the only solution

The Faculty of Biotechnology (ESB) of the Catholic University-Porto suggests a strategy to combat the pine wood nematode based on genetic engineering and molecular biology. The research of Dr. Marta Vasconcelos and her team identified genes of response to pine infection, a species very susceptible to disease, as well as the molecular mechanisms of defense used by the species against nematode infestation. The results of this study provide essential information on ways to contribute to the defense and have a better understanding of the disease, allowing efficient design combat strategies.

Initially, the team of researchers recognized over one million of sequences and detected which genes differentially expressed in response either in wild-pine or in stone pine, the more resistant to nematodes. In a second step, which just ended, the ESB concludes that the firs and cypresses – two tree species present fairly in Portugal – appear to be safe from this plague once showing signs of resistance to the pine wood nematode.

A disease with serious implications worldwide

The disease of the pine wood nematode, caused by Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, has destroyed large areas of pine forest in the world. Note that, until the discovery of the Faculty of Biotechnology (ESB) of the Catholic University-Porto, there were no effective measures to combat the disease, and the slaughter of the trees was the only possible solution. In Portugal, in particular, the problem has worsened with consequences extremely important in the area of the timber industry which impact, therefore, the national economy. At this level, it should be noted that a lower price of wood with symptoms reaches 50%, while on the other hand the production costs increase more than 15% in affected areas.