"Scientists have used plant samples collected in the mid-19th Century to identify the pathogen that caused the Irish potato famine."

"A plant pest that causes potato blight spread to Ireland in 1845 triggering a famine that killed one million people.

DNA extracted from museum specimens shows the strain that changed history is different from modern day epidemics, and is probably now extinct.

Other strains continue to attack potato and tomato crops around the world."

Helen Briggs reports for BBC News May 20, 2013. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Mold Responsible for Irish Potato Famine May Be Gone for Good" (Grist) [3]

"How Genomics Solved The Mystery Of Ireland's Great Famine" (The Salt/NPR) [4]

"'Whodunnit' of Irish Potato Famine Solved" (Science Daily) [5]