PYI: Molecular Genetics of Forest Trees

在这个五年总统青年计划的初期阶段， 研究者奖的期限，研究活动的 史蒂文·H.施特劳斯（俄勒冈州州立大学）将重点放在 森林树木的分子遗传学，而努力在 下半年的资金将集中在遗传 工程方面（基因转移系统，树木病原体 相互作用和基因表达的控制）。 关于分子遗传学，施特劳斯的研究 一些实验室已经进行了叶绿体基因组作图， 针叶树的限制性酶切位点分析 PCR（聚合酶链） 反应）方法，再加上自动基因测序， 扩增的DNA，预计将提供重大的新见解， 植物的进化与控制分子进化的因素 克里思和模式。 基因工程重点的进展取决于 开发基因转移系统， 将“外来”基因整合到植物中。 这的工作要 目的是插入来自昆虫病原体的毒素基因， 苏云金芽孢杆菌，进入针叶树的基因组。 发展这种威慑力量的潜在经济优势 森林虫害造成的损失是巨大的。 将尝试表征的分子生理学的 道格拉斯冷杉的一种主要的根病原体。 人们期望 这样就有可能分离和修改基因 负责致病性，从而了解 宿主-病原体相互作用和使抗病性可行 树木的基因。 最后，这项研究最具科学雄心的目标是， 是针对操纵系统控制基因 表情 这将首先涉及表征的 控制组织特异性和 针叶树中的环境响应基因表达。 此后，应该可以拼接所需的序列， 各种各样的目标针叶树基因。

During the initial phase of this five-year Presidential Young Investigator Award's duration, research activities of Dr. Steven H. Strauss (Oregon State University) will focus on the molecular phylogeny of forest trees, whereas efforts during the latter part of the funding period will concentrate on genetic engineering aspects (gene transfer systems, tree-pathogen interactions, and control of gene expression). With regard to molecular phylogeny, studies in Strauss' laboratory have dealt with chloroplast genome mapping and restriction site analysis of conifers. The PCR (polymerase chain reaction) method, coupled with automated gene sequencing of amplified DNA, is expected to provide major new insights into the phylogeny of plants and factors controlling molecular evolution's tempo and mode. The progression to a genetic engineering focus is dependent upon development of gene transfer systems that will enable incorporation of "foreign" genes into plants. Current work is aimed at insertion of toxin genes from the insect pathogen, Bacillus thuringensis, into the genomes of coniferous trees. The potential economic advantages of developing such a deterrent to damage from forest insect pests are enormous. Attempts will be made to characterize the molecular physiology of a major root pathogen of Douglas fir trees. The expectation is that it will then be possible to isolate and modify the genes responsible for pathogenicity, thereby gaining insights into host-pathogen interactions and making feasible disease-resistant genetic lines of trees. Finally, the most scientifically ambitious goals of this research are directed toward manipulation of the systems controlling gene expression. This will first involve characterization of the major control sequences governing tissue-specific and environmental-responsive gene expression in conifers. Thereafter, it ought to be possible to splice desired sequences onto various target conifer genes.