Swedish forest (photo: Anne Honsel)
Plants inherit and express traits based on their genes. Researchers at UPSC played a key role in sequencing the genomes of Populus, Scots pine and Norway spruce, and now use these resources to develop new tools for tree research and modern tree breeding.
With the help of bioinformatics, we are studying and improving the tree genome resources available. We use genome assembly, transcriptomics and co-expression network analyses to understand the genetic basis of complex traits such as leaf shape, wood formation and tree responses to abiotic and biotic stressors. To better understand the biology and evolution of different traits such as wood development, we compare the genomes of individuals within a species as well as comparing genomes across species. We are studying the function of repetitive DNA elements and non-coding RNA in different plant tissues and under stress conditions to discover how they influence genome three-dimensional structure and how this contributes to regulating which genes are activated under specific conditions. We also use metagenomics and metatranscriptomics to analyse the composition, diversity, activity and function of the microbes in and around tree roots. Along with our strong genomic and genetic research, we develop methods for genomic selection, genome wide association studies, seed orchard genetics and genome-wide population studies that are used for modern tree breeding.
Our goal is to gain comprehensive knowledge about genes, their regulation and genomic structures, and to use this knowledge for sustainable forestry.
Research groups:
Bellini, Catherine - Control of Adventitious Root Initiation and Phloem Function
Egertsdotter, Ulrika - Somatic Embryogenesis (SE) in Conifers
Eriksson, Maria E - Circadian Clock Function and its Importance for the Regulation of Growth
García Gil, María Rosario - Forest Tree Genetics and Breeding
Hurry, Vaughan - Plant Adaptation to Sub-Optimal Environments
Jansson, Stefan - How do trees survive the winter?
Kindgren, Peter - Coding versus Non-coding Transcription in Plants
Mao, Jian-Feng - Plant genomics
Mellerowicz, Ewa - Wood Matrix Polysaccharides: Biosynthesis and Modification
Nilsson, Ove - Control of Flowering Time and Tree Phenology
Robert, Stéphanie - Regulation of plant cell shape acquisition
Street, Nathaniel - A Systems Genetics Approach to Understanding Natural Variation
Swarts, Kelly - Tree Ring Genomics
Wu, Harry - Quantitative Genetics and Tree Breeding
Hvidsten, Torgeir R. – Evolutionary analysis of gene regulatory networks