Scientists have sequenced the genome of the koala, winning a global race to unravel its genetic blueprint.

The achievement, announced on Tuesday, will allow researchers to diagnose and treat two diseases threatening to wipe out the vulnerable species.

Genetic win: Professor Peter Timms, far left, with Adam Polkinghorne, Dr Rebecca Johnson and Mark Eldridge, says it was "only right" his team won the global race to diagnose and treat diseases threatening to wipe out koalas. Credit:Ben Rushton

A leader of the research team and professor of microbiology, Peter Timms from the Queensland University of Technology, said it was ''only right'' his team had achieved the breakthrough on the native Australian mammal before teams in the US and Europe.

Professor Timms said sequencing the koala genome had unlocked many secrets of the animal's immune system ''virtually overnight'' and allowed the researchers to develop vaccines.