Trees use the energy of sunlight, and through the process of photosynthesis, they sequester carbon from the air and deposit it in wood. Wood originates from the vascular cambium but the molecular mechanisms driving the cambial activity are poorly known. Our previous research led to identification a genetic framework that position the stem cells of vascular cambium in model plant Arabidopsis. Here we propose to combine transcriptomic and proteomic analyses to identify the molecular mechanism in Arabidopsis by which stem cells decides whether to produce xylem (wood) or phloem, the two cells types vascular cambium is producing. We will also aim to translate key findings to tree species, Hybrid Aspen and Silver Birch. Long term aim is to utilize the knowledge obtained form this study to breed tree species for more efficient capture of carbon.

2026

2031