U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science

Poplar Genome Based Research for Carbon Sequestration in Terrestrial Ecosystems
Principal investigators:
Steven H. Strauss, Oregon State University; Victor Busov, Michigan Technological University
steve.strauss@orst.edu
vbusov@mtu.edu

Co-investigators:
Palitha Dharmawardhana, James Kennedy, and Jeffrey Morrell, Oregon State University; Stephen Kelley, National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Kevin Kosola, University of Wisconsin

Project period:
August 2005 to present


ER64109, ER64113 		  Genetic modification of gibberellic acid signaling to promote carbon sequestration in tree roots and stems

Summary: Preliminary studies indicated that genetic modification of plant hormone signaling in poplar trees can be used to alter growth and architecture of tree stems, crowns, and roots. This project is focusing on genes that affect the hormone gibberellic acid (GA), which has important roles in control of height growth and flowering. Modifications to GA-related genes could lead to understanding of mechanisms to improve carbon sequestration by identifying new ways to breed trees for production of larger or more rot-resistant roots for storage of carbon in soil. Modifications to GA-related genes could also promote sequestration by producing trees with narrow crowns and thick stems in comparison to their breadth, which should promote stand yields in high density plantations.

Goals of the project include:

  • study this phenomenon in depth in genetically engineered seedlings via growth analysis and gene expression studies based on the published, complete poplar DNA sequence,
  • investigate whether changes in root chemistry and resistance to decomposition also occur, and
  • develop improved strategies for directed breeding using knowledge of native genes and gene expression patterns obtained from the full DNA sequence, genome-wide "gene chips," and cell-specific studies.

An interdisciplinary team with the expertise needed to analyze this phenomenon from several perspectives, including genomics, ecophysiology, biochemistry, and microbiology has been assembled.

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