A5061651416- Plant and Fungal Interactions Research
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Plant pathogens and resistance mechanisms
- Horticultural and Viticultural Research
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Plant tissue culture and regeneration
- Plant and animal studies
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Plant Taxonomy and Phylogenetics
- Phytochemical compounds biological activities
- Genetically Modified Organisms Research
- Nuts composition and effects
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Plant nutrient uptake and metabolism
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Toxin Mechanisms and Immunotoxins
- Transgenic Plants and Applications
- Genetic and Environmental Crop Studies
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
- Botanical Research and Chemistry
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
2014-2025
State University of New York
2011-2025
York University
2005-2025
Purchase College
2006-2024
American chestnut (Castanea dentata) was transformed with a wheat oxalate oxidase (oxo) gene in an effort to degrade the oxalic acid (OA) secreted by fungus Cryphonectria parasitica, thus decreasing its virulence. Expression of OxO examined under two promoters: strong constitutive promoter, CaMV 35S, and predominantly vascular VspB. Oxo transcription quantified RT-qPCR. Relative expression varied approximately 200 fold among events produced 35S-OxO. The lowest 35S-OxO event expressed 3,000...
Environmental gene editing demands collective oversight
Over a century after two introduced pathogens decimated American chestnut populations, breeding programs continue to incorporate resistance from Chinese recover self-sustaining populations. Due complex genetics of blight resistance, it is challenging obtain trees with sufficient and competitive growth. We developed high quality reference genomes for leveraged large disease phenotype genotype datasets develop accurate genomic selection. Inoculation simulation results indicate that may be...
Societal Impact Statement Over four billion American chestnut trees have been killed as a result of an introduced pathogen, the blight fungus. Recently, transgenic blight‐tolerant produced by inserting gene from wheat into genome. Pending federal approval to use these for large‐scale forest restoration, this would be first instance where approach has used restore tree species that rendered functionally extinct pathogen. With help citizen scientists, we estimate restoration using is possible...
Abstract In contrast to many current applications of biotechnology, the intended consequence American Chestnut Research & Restoration Project is produce trees that are well‐adapted thrive not just in confined fields or orchards, but throughout their natural range. Our primary focus on disease tolerance, we believe it will also be critically important optimal restoration should have robust genetic diversity and resilience, which can supplied by a full complement wild‐type genes. offers...
Abstract Introduced pests (insects and pathogens) have rapidly increased the numbers of at-risk native forest tree species worldwide. Some keystone been functionally extirpated, resulting in severe commercial ecological losses. When efforts to exclude or mitigate failed, researchers sometimes applied biotechnology tools incorporate pest resistance enable their reintroduction. Often erroneously equated solely with genetic engineering, also includes traditional genome informed breeding—and may...
The American chestnut (Castanea dentata) was once an integral part of eastern United States deciduous forests, with many environmental, economic, and social values. This ended the introduction invasive fungal pathogen that wiped out over three billion trees. Transgenic chestnuts expressing a gene for oxalate oxidase successfully tolerate infections by this blight fungus, but potential non-target environmental effects should be evaluated before new restoration material is released. Two...
We argue that the wild release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can be justified as a way preserving species and ecosystems. look at case American chestnut (Castanea dentata) is currently undergoing regulatory review. Because chestnuts are functionally extinct, replacement has significant conservation value. In addition, many arguments used against GMOs, especially GMO crops, do not hold for trees. Finally, we show how GMOs such support reorientation values away from restoration it...
American chestnuts (Castanea dentata), effectively eliminated from eastern North America by chestnut blight in the twentieth century, are subject of multiple restoration efforts. Screening individual trees (or tree types) for resistance is a critical step all these programs. Traditional screening involves inoculating stems >3-year-old with fungus (Cryphonectria parasitica), then measuring resulting cankers few months later. A quicker, nondestructive, quantitative assay, usable on younger...
Biotechnology offers a new approach for the restoration of tree species affected by exotic pathogens; however, nontarget impacts this novel strategy on other organisms have not been comprehensively assessed. We evaluated effect transgenic American chestnut ( Castanea dentata ) leaf litter growth and survival larval wood frogs Lithobates sylvaticus ), forest‐dwelling amphibian widely sympatric with chestnut, that forage almost entirely periphyton detritus accumulate in temporary vernal pools...
As the biodiversity crisis accelerates, stakes are higher for threatened plants and animals. Rebuilding health of our planet will require addressing underlying threats at many scales, including habitat loss climate change. Conservation interventions such as protection, management, restoration, predator control, translocation, genetic rescue, biological control have potential to help or endangered species avert extinction. These existing, well-tested methods can be complemented augmented by...
Dependence on wild seed sources is often impractical for large‐scale habitat restoration programs. Reliance commercial supplies of unknown provenance and fitness thereby warranted. Little consideration has been given, however, to how the large volumes required should be sourced. We evaluated locally collected potential use in a New York State‐based, landscape‐scale program restoring blue lupine Lupinus perennis . Through analysis microsatellite markers we determined that “native”...
The Forest Health Initiative (FHI) was developed and implemented to test the hypothesis that a coordinated effort in biotechnology research could lead resistant trees capable of restoring species relevant time frame. As case, American chestnut (Castanea dentata) chosen for study as it is an iconic forest tree eastern United States southeastern Canada has been nearly extirpated by blight which caused introduced fungal pathogen (Cryphonectria parasitica). In addition, attracted investments...
Background American chestnut is a tree of great historical, ecological, and economical importance. It once dominated forests in eastern United States until the introduction blight fungus (Cryphonectria parasitica) late 19th century. Within 50 years, C. parasitica killed almost all 4 billion trees States. The first infects wounded stem, secretes oxalic acid to decrease pH infected tissue toxic levels for tree, but optimum fungal enzymes, then mycelia fans spread forming canker which when it...
American elm (Ulmus americana) is a valuable and sentimental tree species that was decimated by Dutch disease in the mid-20th century. Therefore, any methods for modifying or enhancing resistance are significant. This protocol describes transformation tissue culture techniques used on elm. Leaf pieces containing midvein petiole explants. Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105 transformation, with binary vector pSE39, CaMV35S/nptII as selectable marker, ACS2/ESF39A putative gene, CaMV35S/GUS...
Abstract American chestnut ( Castanea dentata [Marsh.] Borkh.) was once the dominant hardwood species in Eastern North America before an exotic fungal pathogen, Cryphonectria parasitica (Murrill) Barr, functionally eliminated it across its range. One promising approach toward restoring to natural forests is development of blight‐tolerant trees using genetic transformation. However, transformation and related processes can result unexpected unintended phenotypic changes, potentially altering...