Because of the long generation time and obligatory out- crossing of most trees, reverse genetic approaches are the only realistic alternative for the analysis of gene functions in trees. UPSC scientists were among the first in the world to be able to create transgenic trees. All initial work was done with a fast-growing and relatively easily transform- able hybrid aspen (Populus tremula x tremuloides) clone originating from the Czech Republic called “T89”. This is still the workhorse of the transformation facility, but the numbers of tree species that are routinely transformed have now grown to include elite varieties of hybrid aspen and Populus trichocarpa, Populus alba, Populus tremula, Betula pendula (silver birch) and Eucalyptus species.

The method used is Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation of stem segments, petioles or leaf explants and the facility is today growing more than 15 000 transgenic trees, representing more than 3000 different lines, probably making this the largest tree transformation facility in the world. Through an agreement with the forest biotechnology company SweTree Technologies, the facility is gradually building up a biobank that will eventually contain transgenic trees representing not only the abovementioned trees, but also trees with down-regulation or overexpression of 2000 different genes potentially involved in the regulation of wood formation, providing a globally unique resource in the world for future research.
The transformation facility currently employs three persons and is servicing all of the research groups at UPSC. Any group requiring transformed trees simply needs to provide the Agrobacterium strain carrying the genetic construct they want to analyse. After 6-9 months the trees are ready to be transferred to the greenhouse for analysis.

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