Treenomix is a forestry genomics research program that aims to provide a solid base in tree genomics to advance biological knowledge and aid breeding programs. It is an $11 million large-scale research project supported by
Genome British Columbia, the Province of British Columbia,
Genome Canada and run by researchers at the
University of British Columbia in collaboration with platforms at the
Genome Sciences Centre,
the Biotechnology Research Institute in Montreal,
Vancouver General Hospital, and
the UVic Genome BC Proteomics Centre.
High-throughput gene discovery program based on a set of customized spruce and poplar cDNA libraries to support EST and FL-cDNA sequencing.
A suite of spruce and poplar cDNA microarrays have been established to support large-scale transcript profiling under biotic and abiotic stress, and during wood formation
We are using the weedy plant Arabidopsis thaliana as a model system for some aspects of tree biology and for technology development.
The aims of the Marker and Mapping research are to create genetic maps in spruce and poplar and develop markers for traits such as wood development and pest resistance.
Proteomics refers to the study of the PROTEins within a genOME that are expressed by a particular cell or tissue at a particular point in time. We are investigating proteins expressed during wood formation and in response to herbivore attack.
We are using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model for examining plant gene function through reverse genetics. In addition, we are looking at natural genetic variation directly in poplar, using a technique called Ecotilling.
The Treenomix project is contributing to the assembly and annotation of the poplar genome in a number of ways.
Using high performance computers and computational biology tools, bioinformatics is helping to answer the questions posed by the Treenomix project.