Design cost-efficient SNP arrays for different applications in tree breeding. For example, low-density SNP arrays for fingerprinting, genomic relationships and genomic BLUP. The arrays will be accessible by the Members at a reduced price.
Carry out gene discovery and genetic mapping for disease/pest resistance, abiotic stress and other important traits in trees.
Develop assays for mapped genes to screen for traits of importance and make selection to improve disease/pest resistance and abiotic stress tolerance. If available, full members will have priority accessing assays and tools.
Develop platforms for hybrids to trace haplotypes contributed by maternal and paternal parents and associate the haplotypes with the traits of interests.
Develop CRISPR technologies for safe and precise engineering of forest trees species. Assemble CRISPR transformation constructs for target genes in different tree species.
Design and validate CRISPR guide RNAs (gRNAs) for target gene mutagenesis using in vitro CRISPR-RNP cleavage assay.
