Resistance to 'Dutch Elm Disease' caused by the fungus Ophiostoma novo-ulmi has been achieved through genetically modification at the University of Abertay, Dundee in Scotland. The fungus that causes this vascular wilt disease is particularly difficult to cure because it is spread to all parts of the tree by a beetle that moves under the bark. The fungus quickly disables the tree from transferring water and mineral salts to the branches and leaves. Over the last 30 years over millions of Elm trees throughout Europe and America have been affected. According to Prof. Kevan Gartland, Director of the School of Science and Engineering, the gene transfer techniques developed at the University could also open up the way to combat other diseases of trees such as bacteriosi of Castanea. Some of the genetically modified Elm trees are already 1.5m tall. When they reach the adult stage they will be further tested for effective resisance. www.abertay-dundee.ac.uk E-mail: k.gartland@abertay-dundee.ac.uk