CAREER: Fundamental Advancement in Understanding of Tree Reproduction and Development of Educational Activities in Genomics

M.Cetin Yuceer IOS-0845834 CAREER：了解树木繁殖的基本进展和基因组教育活动的发展该奖项由2009年美国复苏和再投资法案(公法111-5)资助。一个复杂的信号通路网络控制着植物的生殖发育。然而，进化到控制信号通路的基本机制，从而在不同生长习性的繁殖开始时的差异，仍然未知。多年生木本杨树(Pillius spp.)开发了一种与休眠交织在一起的繁殖计划，并在多年内完成一个周期。开花基因T1和T2是控制杨树有性生殖开始的主要基因。这个项目的具体目标是确定这些基因和其他基因如何控制杨树生殖芽的形成，它们如何相互作用，以及环境因素如何影响它们。具体目标将通过操纵性遗传和生理实验以及高通量技术和计算工具来实现。这个项目将促进我们对树木繁殖开始的基本理解，并揭示如何加快树木驯化以增加生物能源生产和碳固存。教育是这一项目强有力和不可或缺的组成部分。学生和教师，包括少数民族和代表性不足的群体，将参与该项目。本科生将通过积极参与研究来接受基因组学方面的培训。将为小学生和中小学教师组织基因组学科学博览会和培训讲习班。这些综合教育活动预计将使学生为未来的工作做好准备，鼓励他们学习科学，并提高对树木、林产品和环境重要性的认识。

M. Cetin Yuceer IOS-0845834CAREER: Fundamental advancement in understanding of tree reproduction and development of educational activities in genomicsThis award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).An intricate network of signaling pathways controls reproductive development in plants. However, the basic mechanisms that have evolved to control signaling pathways, and thus variation in the onset of reproduction across different growing habits, remain unknown. The woody perennial poplar (Populus spp.) has developed a reproduction program that is intertwined with dormancy and spreads over multiple years to complete one cycle. The genes FLOWERING LOCUS T1 and T2 are major players controlling the onset of sexual reproduction in poplar trees. The specific aim of this project is to determine how these and additional genes control reproductive bud formation in poplar, how they interact, and how environmental factors influence them. The specific aim will be addressed via manipulative genetic and physiological experiments coupled with high throughput techniques and computational tools. This project will advance our fundamental understanding of the onset of reproduction in trees and reveal how tree domestication can be accelerated to increase bioenergy production and carbon sequestration. Education is a strong and an integral component of this project. Students and teachers, including minorities and underrepresented groups, will be involved in the project. Undergraduate students will be trained in genomics by actively contributing to research. Science fairs and training workshops in genomics will be organized for elementary school students and elementary and high school teachers. These integrated educational activities are expected to prepare students as a future work force, encourage them to study science, and increase awareness in the importance of trees, forest products, and the environment.