Molecular research on tree improvement

To improve the timer quality and tolerance to drought, saline soil and insects of trees, a difficult task for traditional breeding, through transgenic approach needs to isolate and characterize genes related to the wood formation and resistance to drought, salt and insects. The outlined project is focusing on above issue: 1） To identify the relative genes or gene regulators controlling wood formation （the activity of cambium, the developmental properties of xylem） and tolerance to drought, salt and insects using differential displays of gene products （RNAs, proteins）, cDNA-array analysis and map-based cloning. 2） To characterize their functions using sense and antisense expression approach. 3） To select and isolate promotors controlling genes efficiently expressed in specific tissues at different stages of tree development. 4） To investigate the interaction between the transgenic trees and their environment, and assess risks to the environment in their application. Based on the understanding of the relationship between wood composition, ultra-structure and its properties, the wood quality of trees could be modified and the transgenic trees could be used in commercial plantation. On the other hand, the selected genes tolerance to drought, saline soil and insects could be used to improve the adaptation of trees in the harsh conditions, the latter would find many uses in plantation for environmental propose.