The search for the super potato

As the specter of climate change continues to cast a shadow over global food supplies, a team of scientists from McGill University, led by Professor Martina Strömvik, has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to fortify the resilience and nutritional quality of potatoes - the world's third most consumed food crop after rice and wheat.

In a recent development, Professor Strömvik and her team have unveiled a potato super pangenome - a comprehensive genetic resource encompassing 60 species. This pangenome stands as the most extensive collection of genome sequence data for potatoes and their relatives, presenting a significant leap forward in the pursuit of a more sustainable and adaptable potato crop.

"The super pangenome sheds light on the potato's genetic diversity and potential traits that could enhance our modern-day crop," asserts Professor Strömvik. Collaborating with researchers from Canada, the United States, and Peru, the project signifies a collaborative effort to address the challenges posed by climate change to global food security.

The potato, a staple food for millions globally, holds a pivotal role in this research endeavor. By leveraging wild potato species, Professor Strömvik aims to glean insights into genetic traits critical for adapting to climate change, extreme weather conditions, and enhancing nutritional quality - a quest essential for global food security.

To construct the potato pangenome, researchers utilized supercomputers to analyze data from public databanks, including gene banks in Canada, the United States, and Peru. This comprehensive approach allows for a more thorough understanding of the evolution of the potato, a crop domesticated by Indigenous peoples in the mountains of southern Peru almost 10,000 years ago.

The significance of this research lies not only in unraveling the historical journey of the potato but also in paving the way for future advancements. The potato pangenome serves as a blueprint for identifying specific genes that can contribute to the creation of a super spud, whether through traditional breeding methods or cutting-edge gene editing technology.

Professor Strömvik envisions a potato capable of withstanding diseases and extreme weather conditions, be it excessive rain, frost, or drought. The ultimate goal is to cultivate a more resilient and adaptable potato, addressing the challenges posed by climate change and contributing to global food security.

As scientists continue to explore and decode the genetic intricacies of the potato through initiatives like the super pangenome, the prospect of a more sustainable and climate-resilient spud comes into focus. This scientific marvel stands as a beacon of hope for securing the future of one of the world's essential food crops.