Highlights 1999-2000

• The promoter region of the poplar PTD floral gene gave consistent floral expression, and was used to successfully disrupt the growth of floral organs, in Arabidopsis, tobacco, and poplar. This could be a highly effective tool for engineering reproductive sterility in poplar and other tree species, reducing environmental impacts and facilitating regulatory approval of transgenic plantations.

 

• We identified more than 70 poplar genes, comprising 26 gene families, that are homologous to genes affecting time of flowering in Arabidopsis. These genes provide new probes for studying tree maturation and may provide new tools to induce early flowering to speed breeding, or to suppress flowering to increase growth.

 

• \r\nSeven new field trials, including 4,583 trees and 111 new transgenic lines, that contain insect and/or glyphosate resistance genes, were planted in five states. These trials will help to determine the effectiveness and value of transgenic trees under diverse field conditions.

 

• Three scientific articles were published in major international journals that describe the DNA sequence and expression of four floral homeotic genes from poplar. These papers demonstrate the strong science conducted by TGERC staff and lay the groundwork for our continued use of these genes to manipulate flowering.

 

• A new competitive research grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for $539,000 will accelerate and expand TGERC research in control of flowering. The grant will allow us to study stability of gene expression in detail and to evaluate effectiveness of gene suppression for producing non-flowering trees.

 

• Plans are well underway for an international meeting on molecular biology of forest trees in the Pacific Northwest, including a symposium on ecological aspects of transgenic plantations. This meeting, supported by a competitive grant from USDA, will bring together leading economists, ethicists, ecologists, and geneticists to discuss the benefits and safety aspects of use of transgenic trees in forest plantations.

 

• TGERC staff continue to play key roles in the global and national discussion on genetically modified (GM) trees in forestry. TGERC scientists were invited to give talks and write papers for a number of major forums on the rationale, methods, and safety of GM crops and trees.