Zeneca ordered a "wet" copy of a promising gene, in the form of a clone -- a colony of bacterial cells whose members all carry the desired snippet of DNA. These bacterial guinea pigs can then be used to try out antibacterial chemicals.

FORBES: Biology in silico

"It's very significant to find a new clone variety because the tree's gene pool is very restricted and that is a disadvantage if they are threatened by disease as these are, " she said.

BBC: Black poplar trees found in Denbighshire lay-by 'unique'