Genetic discovery a breakthrough in search for disease-resistant seaweed

Research conducted into the genetic make-up of a resilient red alga has taken scientists a step closer to breeding disease-resistant seaweed. Researchers at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) in Oban, Scotland have established the genetic code for the Porphyra umbilicalis, a small, but tough intertidal species that can tolerate a range of conditions and is among the world’s most valuable commercial seaweeds.