Developing improved wood qualities using poplar as model system and - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Developing improved wood qualities using poplar as model system and Eucalyptus as proof of concept

10 000 Year ago

1995

Breeding revolution Biotechnology revolution Domestication

Gene based breeding : The Opportunity

GMO in agriculture

Traits Current and future

• Insect resistance BT
• Herbicide resistance
• Virus resistance
• Water use
• Nutritional/ quality

Wood quality

Possibilities to modify/ improve wood quality in commercial Eucalyptus plantations

• Improve wood quality in best growing and most pest resistant

eucalyptus clones.

– Breeding – GMO’s

• Using new proprietary technologies
• Using “old” technologies for which any patents has expired

– E.g. many of the lignin based technologies

• Improve growth properties in Eucalyptus clones that have

better/optimal wood qualities

– Breeding – GMO’s

R & D plan : Breeding based on gene knowledge

Current genes New genes

Gene Source and Target Phenotypes

Breeding Wood chemistry Growth Fiber dimensions Stress tolerance

WoodHeads Internal Gene Mining Program External Collaborators (Academic and Industrial)

Nutrient Uptake

A E B C D section 0,01 0,1 1 10 100Normalized Intensity (log scale) ABCDE2M

Large scale gene testing in Hybrid aspen Gene selection Cloning and transformation Greenhouse test Phenotypic analysis

Specific analysis Such as: Drought stress WUE Nutrient uptake Bio fuel related

Example: Results wood density

100% 105% 110% 115% 120% 125% 130% 135% 140% 145% GMO Max /WT Mean GMO Mean / WT Mean

Wood density : GMO / Control

Wood volume versus Wood density

• Field trials
• Gene

development

• Development in

Eucalyptus

On-going field trials:

• In collaboration w. Umeå Plant Science Center:
• 18 genes giving increased growth.
• 10 genes coupled to wood chemistry and

wood quality.

• 2 genes coupled to drought tolerance.
• Swetree field trials:
• 17 genes giving increased growth.
• 4 genes coupled to drought tolerance.

>> In total: 51 genes in field trials.

• Field trial sites in the southern part of Sweden.

15 % of the genes have, up to now, showed positive effects in the field

Hybrid aspen field trials

Gene development

Eucalyptus transformation and product development

SweTree has developed transformation protocols for several elite Eucalyptus clones and actively transforms such clones for product development purposes.

SweTree Technologies AB have an scientific innovation base

Woodheads AB

an holding company owned by a group of senior scientists in Swedish forest biotechnology. SweTree has the rights to all their inventions.

Berzelii Centre for Forest Biotechnology

24 Group leaders (8 full, 11 associate, 3 assistant professors) 41 graduate students 41 post-doctoral researchers Technical/administrative personnel

Strong Research Environments in Forest Biotechnology

Publications and collaborations in journals with impact factor >5

Bioimprove

Thank you!