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U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science
Poplar Genome Based Research for Carbon Sequestration in Terrestrial Ecosystems |
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Principal investigator:
Amy M. Brunner, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University abrunner@vt.edu Co-investigators: Barry Goldfarb, North Carolina State University; Palitha Dharmawardhana, Oregon State University; Stephen P. DiFazio, West Virginia University Project period: March 2004 to present ER63788, ER64185 |
New genetic tools for modifying tree properties to enhance sequestration
Summary: This project uses comparative and functional genomics to identify poplar regulatory genes that act as major genetic control points for tree growth, form, and chemistry. It aims to demonstrate how this information can be used to produce trees with modified qualities important for carbon sequestration. The availability of the poplar genome sequence has enabled the development of a whole-genome microarray representing more than 55,000 poplar genes, and this microarray is being used to study gene expression patterns in a diverse set of tissue types, developmental stages, and environmental conditions. These include expression profiles in response to several stimuli that affect root architecture. Gene expression patterns of roots undergoing lateral root formation in response to auxin concentration, nitrogen availability, and stage of development should reveal critical pathways affecting the penetration of roots to different soil levels, with associated effects on the potential for carbon sequestration. These observations of how genes respond to developmental and environmental cues--combined with comparative bioinformatic analyses--is guiding the selection of candidate genes controlling crown architecture, root architecture, and wood formation. Transgenic poplars are being produced with loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutations in 10-20 candidate genes expected to have marked effects on tree form or chemical properties. Transgenic poplar analyses will include study of biomass partitioning patterns and chemical composition of roots and stems. |