Using microarrays to elucidate the genetic basis of wood density in sitka spruce and poplar

As the global population continues to increase, so will the demand for timber (and<br/>other raw materials) for building, construction, and also for the pulping industry.<br/>The high demand for wood and the increasing human population mean that<br/>natural forests are being lost and degraded. A potential solution to this problem is<br/>to improve the productivity of our plantation forests to relieve the pressure on<br/>natural forests in terms of sustainable wood production. This project is the first to<br/>use newly available microarray technology to study differential gene expression<br/>in cambial tissue of high versus low wood density field grown samples from two<br/>contrasting species, Sitka spruce (gymnosperms) and poplar (angiosperms).<br/>Genes up-regulated in high-density Sitka spruce and poplar samples had<br/>functions in cell formation and expansion, with down-regulated genes having<br/>functions in lignin biosynthesis, stress-response and defence. Plantation trees<br/>could be screened at a young age to assess their expression of candidate genes<br/>to speed up the breeding and selection process.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Ph.D.

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Southampton

Year dc:date.issued

2008

Author dc:creator

• Harris, Nicole

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Taylor, Gail