AbstractThe goal of the Conifer Translational Genomics Network (CTGN) project is to provide tree breeders across the United States with new tools to enhance and accelerate traditional tree improvement activities. These “knowledge-based” tools derive value from experimentally demonstrated associations between traits of interest, like wood density or disease resistance, and the tree’s genetic code (genetic markers). By adding genetic markers to their tool-chest, breeders will be able to select superior trees more accurately, more rapidly, and at lower cost than using traditional approaches alone. These enhanced approaches will permit greater utilization of the abundant genetic variation inherent in tree populations while simultaneously avoiding controversy associated with other technologies such as genetic engineering. It is anticipated that within five years cooperatives producing virtually all of the conifer seedlings in the United States (>1.3 billion annually) might benefit from this technology improvement. Methods for implementing the technology in applied tree breeding programs will be thoroughly reviewed and economically evaluated; results of these studies will be delivered directly to tree breeders managing the major tree improvement cooperatives around the country. In addition to validating new genomics-based tools, the project will undertake an assertive and comprehensive education and extension program that will provide 1) a graduate-level curriculum for teaching molecular tool-based breeding in trees, and 2) widespread training for undergraduate and graduate students, tree breeders, managers, lay-people and other stakeholders through a series of workshops, internships and classes. The CTGN will draw from or deliver to virtually all conifer genomics scientists and tree breeders in the United States.

Dudley HuberTom Byram Steve McKeand

Nick Wheeler

David HarryGlenn Howe

Jeff Dean

David NealeJennifer LeeJill Wegrzyn

Dana NelsonBrad St. Clair

Principle Investigators:

Funding:

• Generate important molecular and cytogenetic resources for pine • Utilize these resources to provide insight into the structure and

evolution of the loblolly pine genome

• Develop further the bioinformatic, genomic and database resources for a Pinaceae comparative genomics infrastructure.•Understand the evolution of genetic diversity within and between species using the family Pinaceae as a model plant taxa.

• International collaboration to develop, map, and freely distribute a framework set of orthologous genetic markers

•ESTs resources

• Use a population genomic approach called association mapping to identify the specific genes (i.e. loci and alleles) that are responsible for phenotypic differences in adaptive traits of Douglas-fir.

Objective 1.0: Validate SNP by quantitative trait associations

discovered under prior USDA and NSF funding in operational tree

improvement populations.Objective 2.0: Develop and economically evaluate new

methods incorporating marker –assisted selection into conifer

tree breeding programs.

Objective 3.0: Develop databases (TreeGenes) and

web-based tools (Dendrome) to facilitate all aspects of

the CTGN.

Objective 4.0. Develop an international genetic stock center for conifers.

Objective 5.0. Develop an education plan for undergraduate

and graduate curriculum development in genomics-

based breeding in forest trees

Objective 6.0. Develop an extension plan for continuing education in genomics-based breeding for practicing tree

breeders and forest tree generesource managers

• Identify SNPs in 60 candidate genes• Identify associations with wood quality, disease and drought phenotypes.

• Identify SNPs in 8,000 amplicons• Genotype and Phenotype three association populations.

CTGN evolved out of a collection of related collaborative projects