Genome Research

In einer grafischen Darstellung ist die MinION Sequenzier-Plattform sowie eine Hand mit Pipette gezeigt. Durch diese neue Technologien kann hochmolekulare DNA sequenziert werden.

Das Chloroplastengenoms der Rotbuche ist als Kreis dargestellt. Annotierte Gene sind als farbige Rechecke gekennzeichnet.

Foto eines Regenerationsbüschel einer Pappel in der in vitro-Kultur

Foto einer kleinen durchsichtigen Plastikbox mit Pappelpflanzen in der Gewebekultur

Foto eines Wissenschaftlers, der Pappelpflanzen in die Regale des Gewebekulturraums einsortiert

Das Foto zeigt die roten Antheren einer maskulinisierte Pappelblüte

Foto von zwei Pappelpflanzen verschiedener Größe. Die Unterschiede wurden durch gentechnische Transformation der Pappeln gezielt hervorgerufen

The Genome Research group employs molecular biological, biotechnological and bioinformatics methods to elucidate genotype-phenotype associations, with a focus on adaptive and economically important traits. Furthermore, we develop molecular markers for the evaluation of forest genetic resources. These markers are also employed in practical applications for provenance and species identification. For the protection of native forest ecosystems, we evaluate the benefits, potentials and risks of genetic engineering. To improve consumer protection, we develop methods for the identification of genetically modified trees and wood. Finally, we are actively working on transferring state-of-the-art molecular biological methods, such as DNA-free genome editing or third generation sequencing, to forest tree species. In conclusion, our work aims to achieve stable and sustainable forestry management of the future.

Natural genetic variation

Naturally occurring mutations and the resulting genetic variation are essential for driving evolution, domestication and breeding. Natural gene variants provide a great resource for conserving and improving forest ecosystems. For example, alleles conferring field resistance may help to protect tree species challenged by pests and diseases, such as the European ash tree that is severely threatened by an introduced fungus. To this end a thorough understanding of the underlying genetics is crucial. The genetic and molecular elucidation of evolutionary important traits (e.g. dioecy) can furthermore yield insights into fundamental biological processes, and thus inform tree breeding and forest management strategies. Finally, genome-wide adaptive variation can play an important role for forest conservation and adaptation under climate change.

Selected projects:

    Poplar dioecy
    FraxGen
    Beech genomics

Contact: Niels A. Müller

Bioinformatics

With our bioinformatics team we analyze high-throughput DNA- and RNA-sequencing data in order to develop diagnostic molecular markers and to address functional genomics questions. An important step in many of our analysis pipelines is the genome-wide identification and comparison of genetic variants. For the development of molecular markers for species identification, we also employ whole chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes, some of which we assemble de novo and annotate. Finally we develop databases and bioinformatics tools, to support the institute’s infrastructure.

Selected projects:

    TaxGen
    Survivor-Oaks
    Oak defense
    Wood-DNA barcoding
    Development of databases

Contact: Birgit Kersten

Genetic Technologies

Genome editing methods, such as CRISPR/Cas, have been significantly developed in crop plants. Further developments are needed for application in different tree species, and these will be used in particular to research the drought stress tolerance of trees.

More information on the group page.

Contact: Tobias Brügmann

Group leader

Dr. Niels A. Müller

Scientists

PhD students

Technicians

Lazic D et al. (2024). Genomic variation of European beech reveals signals of local adaptation despite high levels of phenotypic plasticity. Nature Communications 15, 8553. link
Leite Montalvão AP et al. (2022) ARR17 controls dioecy in Populus by repressing B-class MADS-box gene expression. Philos Trans Royal Soc B 377 (1850), 20210217. link
Renner SS, Müller NA (2021) Plant sex chromosomes defy evolutionary models of expanding recombination suppression and genetic degeneration. Nature Plants 7 (4), 392-402. link
Müller NA et al. (2020) A single gene underlies the dynamic evolution of poplar sex determination. Nature Plants 6 (6), 630-637. link