In human genetics, association mapping is a method used to identify the genes behind different traits. In the last issue of Genetics, UPSC researchers show that the same technique can be used to identify the genetic basis of important traits in a tree (aspen, Populus tremula). In addition, the resolution of the mapping is higher than in the case of humans so the genetic differences potentially can be mapped down to the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), due to the low linkage disequilibrium (LD) in the Populus genome.

Professor Göran Sandberg and Assistant Professor Karin Ljung at UPSC, has together with colleagues from USA, France, and Argentina been able to identify a gene called TAA1 (Tryptophan Aminotransferase of Arabidopsis) that is directly involved in the synthesis of the plant growth hormone Auxin. The gene is specifically activated during the shade avoidance syndrome, when plants in response to changes in light quality, redirects growth from leaf expension and branching, to stem elongation and flowering. The results are published in the scientific journal Cell: e-link

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On November 25--27, 2009, the "Third UPRA Meeting on Plant Integrative Biology" will be held at Champenoux, France. UPRA is a "European Open Laboratory" initiative between UPSC and INRA.

On August 30, UCFB (UPSC Centre for Forest Biotechnology), a Berzelii centre jointly financed by VINNOVA, VR, SLU, UmU and Industrial partners was inagurated by, among others, the General director of Vinnova and the Vice Chancellers of SLU and UmU. The official center homepage (www.ucfb.se) was also opened up.

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After a nomination by the Faculties at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and a peer review by international experties led by Formas, 5 excellent researchers at SLU is awarded the "Excellence"-grants. Professor Björn Sundberg at UPSC is one of the recipients of the revard.
The researchers each receives 2 MSEK per year for six years (2007-2013). The grants intends to stimulate research at SLU and to strengthen the excellent researchers competitiveness.

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Professor Per Gardeström has coordinated an application that received 1 Million SEK in support from STINT during a two-year period. The grant will support collaborations between UPSC and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, UWA, Australia.

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Professor Wolfgang Schröder and Dr. Thomas Kieselbach at the Department of Chemistry and UPSC, is part of the "Plant proteomics in Europe" (EUPP) COST action program which has received a 64 Million € grant. This project aims to build up expertise in plant proteomics through an integrated network of European scientists. Tools for proteome analysis in fundamental and applied plant research areas will be developed and shared, to generate fundamental information about plant metabolism, investigate responses to environmental constraints and assess food quality.

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Stort EU-anslag till växtforskare

The paper
”Genome characteristics of facultatively symbiotic Frankia sp. strains reflect host range and host plant biogeography.” by Normand P, Lapierre P, …, Sellstedt A, Tavares F, …, Medigue C, Benson DR, in Genome Res 2007 Jan 17(1):7-15
has been selected for Faculty of 1000 Biology and evaluated by Keith Chater:

Faculty of 1000 Biology is an award-winning online service that highlights and evaluates the most interesting papers published in the biological sciences, based on the recommendations of over 2000 of the world's top researchers. It was launched in January 2002 and already over 85% of the world's top institutions subscribe (e.g. NIH*, Johns Hopkins and all Max Planck Institutes). Papers are highlighted on the basis of their scientific merit rather than the journal in which they appear.

The Marcus Wallenberg Foundation proudly annnounces that the Marcus Wallenberg prize for 2007 is awarded to professor Ove Nilsson, Sweden

The Marcus Wallenberg Prize

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"Upptäckt om träds blomning ger 2007 års Marcus Wallenbergpris"
"Marcus Wallenberg-priset till Ove Nilsson"



Francesco Gentili, Post Doc at Department of Plant Physiology, UPSC, Umeå University, has been awarded the energy prize 2006 of Innovationsbron Umeå for his winning idea to produce bioenergy from municipal wastewater and at the same time clean wastewater. The prize was given during the Västerbottensdagarna event held in Stockholm