Poplar Molecular Genetics Cooperative

2. Poplar Molecular Genetics Cooperative Increase understanding of the molecular genetic mechanisms causing variation in productivity and quality traits in hybrid poplar. Use research results to accelerate progress in poplar breeding.

3. PMGC research accomplishments Breeding and nursery evaluation of >15,000 new hybrid poplar clones involving 5 Populus species (1995-97) Distribution of >50,000 cuttings to coop members for testing on two continents (1996-2001) Development of very large hybrid pedigrees for fine-scale genetic mapping and positional cloning (1996-97)

4. PMGC research accomplishments Development of >100 microsatellite (SSR) markers for genetic mapping, paternity analysis, and DNA fingerprinting (1998-99) DNA fingerprinting service for PMGC members (1998-2001) Co-development of the first Populus BAC library (1998) Identification of candidate genes controlling vegetative dormancy (1998-2000) Fine-scale genetic and physical mapping of a poplar disease resistance gene (1996-2001)

5. PMGC research accomplishments >$750K in extramural funding to support PMGC research objectives (1995-2001) Collaboration with George Newcombe (U Idaho) on the genetics of disease resistance Collaboration with ORNL on wood quality QTLs (1997-2000), synteny with Arabidopsis (2000), and domestication (2001) Collaboration with TGERC on triploid sterility, gene flow, and domestication genes (1995-2001) Training of 3 graduate students (1996-2001)

6. Current PMGC research Identification and testing of domestication genes Integration of poplar genome sequencing effort (DOE JGI) with existing programs in poplar genomics worldwide (pedigree development, genetic mapping, physical mapping, EST sequencing, functional genomics, bioinformatics)

7. PHYTOCHROME B Phytochromes sense the ratio of red:far-red light

8. PHYTOCHROME B Decreased R:FR (incipient competition) causes trees to increase stem growth, via Phytochrome B (PHYB)

9. PHYTOCHROME B phyB mutant plants (Arabidopsis, tobacco, canola) have greatly (50-100%) increased stem growth. Will poplars genetically engineered to eliminate PHYB expression show increased stem growth?

10. hpDNA

11. A wealth of candidate transgenes

12. Genetic engineering (GE) will be required for tree domestication One cycle of conventional breeding takes a decade; GE takes 6 months Outcrossing mating system prevents recovery of recessive mutations; GE can create them easily Many vital tree functions are supported with duplicated genes; GE can �knock out� all copies of a gene at once Using genetic engineering, domestication could be compressed into a few decades instead of centuries of conventional breeding

13. Where are we now and where will we be?

14. Significance of the poplar genome sequence The third publicly-available plant genome sequence (after Arabidopsis and rice) The first forest tree genome sequence (and likely the only one for awhile) PMGC clone 383-2499 (P. trichocarpa) will serve as the source of DNA for the sequencing effort, largely because of the genomics resources (Family 545, markers, maps, BAC library) made available through the PMGC

15. What can we do with the poplar genome sequence? No more gene cloning! Identity, number, and relationship among all poplar genes (30-50 thousand) will be known The genetic, physical, and DNA sequence maps of the poplar genome will be fully integrated, making positional cloning of genes easier

16. What can we do with the poplar genome sequence? There will be thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, of new genetic markers discovered for QTL mapping and DNA fingerprinting It will be possible to test systematically the function of hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of genes in poplar using transgenics

18. PMGC public education New York Times, AP, Seattle Times, Portland Oregonian Time, Newsweek, New York Times Magazine Nature, Science, Nature Biotechnology, U.S. Farm Report, Farm Journal, Business 2.0 CBS News, KING 5, Northwest Cable News, Sydney Broadcasting KUOW Weekday, KVI Environmental Review Newsletter Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology Skamania meeting Washington State Legislature

19. From the ELF communiqu� "Bradshaw, the driving force in G.E. tree research, continues to unleash mutant genes into the environment that is [sic] certain to cause irreversible harm to forest ecosystems. As long as universities continue to pursue this reckless 'science,' they run the risk of suffering severe losses. Our message remains clear, we are determined to stop genetic engineering."

20. Challenges for the PMGC Fewer co-op members because of industry consolidation Corporate fear of biotechnology backlash Short-term view of a technology whose greatest potential is in the long term Inordinate concern about intellectual property issues Terrorism

21. From the ELF FAQ �Capitalism as a target is not easily identifiable due to it being an ideology rather than a physical object. But forms and symbols of capitalism can be targeted successfully � [t]he list is endless but could include such symbols in the U.S. as Mt. Rushmore, the Statue of Liberty, Disney, Wall Street, etc.�