Multi-sample homogenizer for rapid nucleic acid and metabolite extraction from woody plants

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This application is to request funds for multi-sample homogenizer for plant and forest biology research. The research to be supported by this funding aims to understand forest tree adaptations to their environment, revolving around defense against pests as well as plant nitrogen uptake. One axis of the research to be supported aims to understand how Populus and other trees defend themselves against herbivory, and the roles of proteins and phenolic secondary metabolites in this process. Plants respond to insect attacks or wounding with rapid changes in gene expression, leading to the accumulation of diverse toxic and antinutritive proteins and toxins. We have been investigating this induced herbivore defense response using both hybrid poplar and trembling aspen, have identified a suite of over 100 rapidly induced genes, and tested some of these in vitro and in transgenic plants. We are also interested in induced secondary metabolites in poplar, specifically condensed tannins and flavonoids, plant chemicals with antimicrobial, antiherbivore activity in nature, and potential health-promoting in humans. Another research area to be supported by the requested funding is the exploration of physiological mechanisms of adaptation and acclimation to nitrogen forms and deficiency in forest soils. In temperate and boreal forests soils, low nitrogen availability often limits tree growth. Studies at the root cell and whole-root levels allow us to examine genetic differences among shrub and conifer species or families, for preference of nitrogen form, uptake rates with and without mycorrhizal association, and effects of root zone temperature and pH.