Faculty Profile: Chung-Jui Tsai -->

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Faculty Member: Chung-Jui Tsai, PhD
Seeing the forest for the trees and the genes
Chung-Jui Tsai
Professor
Biotechnology Research Center

164 Noblet Building
906. 487.2914
chtsai@mtu.edu

Curriculum Vitae (pdf)

Curriculum Vitae (html)

AspenDB
Research projects in my lab center around the theme of dissecting molecular mechanisms underpinning tree fitness and biomass productivity. I am particularly interested in phenolic metabolism as it impacts tree development and defense, wood quality and ecosystem function. My research and teaching scales gene to tree, laboratory to habitat, and basic research to industrial utilization and ecosystem investigation.

”Graduate students and postdocs in my lab enjoy first-rate functional genomics facilities and opportunities to mentor undergraduate students in research - a solid hands-on and integrated research and educational experience.”

Michigan Tech has one of the nation's strongest forest genomics programs. More importantly, Michigan Tech is a place where research innovation to address real-world issues is everyday business. If you like impact-oriented research, I invite you to join us in discovering how molecular and genomics tools are shaping our understanding about the trees, the forest and their global impact.

Specific Interests:

Phenolic metabolism: lignin, flavonoid and phenolic glycoside biosynthesis
Functional genomics: EST, microarray gene profiling, metabolite fingerprinting
Wood formation: cytoskeleton and one-carbon metabolism
Forest biotechnology: metabolic engineering, woody plant transformation, cryopreservation

[Research]   [Publications]   [Courses]   [Personnel]   [Presentations]   [Printable CV]

PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION

EDUCATION

1995 Ph.D. in Forest Science, Outstanding Graduate Student Award (1994) School of Forestry & Wood Products (name change 02), Michigan Technological University

Dissertation: Genetic engineering of quaking aspen through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation for modification of lignin biosynthesis (Advisors: VL Chiang and GK Podila)
1991 M.S. in Agriculture (Forestry), University First Rank Department of Forestry, National Taiwan University, Taiwan

Thesis: Tissue culture of Eucalyptus saligna (Advisors: YN Wang and CH Chiang)
1989 B.S. in Agriculture (Forestry/Silviculture core), University First Rank Department of Forestry, National Taiwan University, Taiwan


EXPERIENCE

05/06 - present Professor, School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, MTU
03/05 - present Ad Hoc Graduate Faculty, Dept of Forestry & Natural Resources, Purdue University
12/02 - 08/07 Director, Biotechnology Research Center, MTU
12/06 Visiting Professor, ChaoYang University of Technology, Taiwan
05/02 - 05/06 Associate Professor, School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, MTU
03/97 - 05/02 Assistant Professor, School of Forestry and Wood Products, MTU
05/95 - 02/97 Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Plant Biotechnology Research Center, MTU
09/92 - 05/95 Research Assistant, School of Forestry and Wood Products, MTU
06/91 - 08/92 Research Associate, Division of Silviculture, Taiwan Forestry Research Institute


PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB)
Society for In Vitro Biology (SIVB)
Japanese Society of Plant Physiologists (JSPP)
International Populus Genome Consortium (IPGC)
International Eucalyptus Genome Consortium (IEuGC)


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RESEARCH

  • Neale D.B., Tsai C.-J., Davis M.F., Stanton B.J., "Discovery of genes for improved cellulose and cellulose-extractability from poplar secondary xylem" Chevron-UC Davis Research Program, $446,942, 05/07 to 05/08

  • Tsai C.-J., "Acquisition of an infrared fluorescence imaging system for life sciences research" Michigan Tech Research Excellence Fund, $34,125, 05/07 to 05/08

  • Tsai C.-J., "Plant Genome REU and SYP Supplement" NSF, $24,678, 05/07 to 12/08

  • Tsai C.-J., Harding SA, "Protein engineering for manipulation of phenylpropanoid metabolism" CPBR, $188,000, 09/06 to 08/08

  • Tsai C.-J., "UVB-induced secondary metabolism" Utah State University, $10,000, 08/06 to 06/08

  • Tsai C.-J., "Plant Genome REU Supplement" NSF, $24,596, 05/06 to 12/08

  • Harding, S.A., Tsai, C.-J., Lindroth, R.L. (UW-Madison), "A genomics investigation of partitioning into and among flavonoid-derived condensed tannins for carbon sequestration in Populus" DOE $1,386,389, 09/05 to 09/08

  • Tsai, C.-J., Harding, S.A., "Protein engineering for manipulation of phenylpropanoid metabolism" CPBR Fellowship, $40,000, 09/05 to 08/06

  • Predebon, B. (ME-EM), Tsai, C.-J., Haut-Donahue, T. (ME-EM), Donahue, S. (Biomed), Goldman, J. (Biomed), Vucetich, L., Wusirika, R. (Bio), "Biotechnology research center technician support to enhance interdisciplinary molecular research" Michigan Tech Research Excellence Fund, $40,000, 08/05 to 12/06

  • Tsai, C.-J., "Acquisition of a real-time PCR system for quantitative gene expression analysis in forest genomics and biotechnology research" USDA-NRICGP, $12,500, 11/04-11/05

  • Tsai, C.-J., Harding, S.A., Jiang, H., Zhang, S., Davis, M. (DOE-NREL), "A functional genomics approach to investigate regulation of phenolic glycosides metabolism in Populus" NSF Plant Genome Research, $2,114,091, 11/04 to 12/08

  • Karnosky, D.F., Podila, G.K. (Univ Alabama-Huntsville), Taylor, G. (Univ Southampton, UK), Tsai, C.-J., Rogers, A. (Brookhaven National Lab), Riemenschneider, D. (USFS), "An integrated functional genomics consortium to increase carbon sequestration in poplars: Optimizing aboveground carbon gain" DOE, $916,231, 03/04 to 02/07

  • Tsai, C.-J., "Acquisition of an Automated Microplate Pipetting System for High Throughput Functional Genomics Research" Michigan Technological University Century II Campaign Endowed Equipment grant" $5,000, 01/04 to 06/05

  • Tsai, C.-J., "Cryopreservation of Tree Germplasm" UDSA-McIntire Stennis Program, $35,000, 10/03 to 09/08

  • Tsai, C.-J., Harding, S.A. and Kelley, S.S. (DOE-NREL), "Molecular Dissection of Alpha-tubulins during Microfibril Deposition in Wood Forming Tissues of Aspen" USDA-NRICGP, $220,000, 11/02 to 11/07

  • Harding, S.A. and Tsai, C.-J. "Designing Promoters for Precision Targeting of Gene Expression" The Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research, Inc. $126,001, 01/03 to 12/05

  • Tsai, C.-J., Harding, S.A., Joshi, C.P., and Chiang, V.L. "Functional Genomics of Fast-growing Transgenic Aspen" Michigan Life Sciences Corridor Fund, $2,013,729, 03/01 to 12/04

  • Tsai, C.-J., Joshi, C.P., and Harding, S.A. "Acquisition of an ABI Prime 3100-Avant Genetic Analyzer for High Throughput DNA Sequencing and Fragment Analysis" Michigan Tech Research Excellence Fund, $50,000, 04/03 to 06/04

  • Tsai, C.-J., Vucetich, J.A., Waite, T.A. (Ohio State Univ), and Richter, D.L. "Assessing Ecological Consequences of Low-lignin and Fast-growth Transgenic Aspen" USDA-CSREES/BRARGP, $260,000, 09/00 to 09/04

  • Tsai, C.-J. and Chiang, V.L. and Davis, M. (DOE-NREL), "Genetic Augmentation of Syringyl Lignin in Low-lignin Aspen Trees" DOE/AF&PA Agenda 2020, $504,903, 03/01 to 08/04

  • Tsai, C.-J., "Toward A Long Term Transgenic Tree Germplasm Preservation Program: Preliminary Study on Cryostorage of Value-added Transgenic Trees" Michigan Tech Research Excellence Fund, $20,000, 04/02 to 06/03

  • Tsai, C.-J. and Chiang, V.L. "Designing Promoters for Precision Targeting of Gene Expression" DOE/CPBR Fellowship Grant, $80,000, 01/00 to 12/03

  • Tsai, C.-J. and Chiang, V.L. "Genetic Engineering of Finnish Forest Tree Species with Reduced Lignin and Enhanced Growth" TEKES, National Technology Agency of Finland, $26,130, 07/00 to 05/01 Subcontracted from the Finnish Forest Research Institute, Collaborators: Hely M. Häggman (PI) and Tuija Aronen

  • Tsai, C.-J., "Molecular Characterization of Genes Involved in Cambium Differentiation in Aspen" USDA-NRICGP, $50,000, 09/98 to 09/01

  • Tsai, C.-J. and Chiang, V.L. "Field Trial of Transgenic Aspen Trees" UDSA-McIntire Stennis Program, $42,000, 10/98 to 09/01

  • Tsai, C.-J., Joshi, C.P., Popko, J.L., and Chiang, V.L. "Wood Biotechnology" State of Michigan Research Excellence Fund, $75,000, 12/98 to 11/01



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PUBLICATIONS

Journal Publications

  • Luo K., Harding S.A., Tsai C.-J. 2008 A modified T-vector for simplified assembly of hiarpin RNAi constructs. Biotechnology Letters (in press). Reprint

  • Oakley R.V., Wang Y.-S., Ramakrishna W., Harding S.A., Tsai C.-J. 2007 Differential expansion and expression of alpha- and beta-tubulin gene families in Populus. Plant Physiology 145: 961-973. Full text

  • Busov V. and Tsai C.-J. 2007 Perennial challenges and opportunities. New Phytologist 176: 3-6. Full text

  • Rajinikanth M., Harding S.A.,Tsai C.-J. 2007 The glycine decarboxylase complex multienzyme family in Populus. Journal of Experimental Botany 58: 1761-1770. Reprint

  • Lin J., Gunter L.E., Harding S.A., Kopp R.F., McCord R.P., Tsai C.-J., Tuskan G.A., Smart L.B. 2007 Development of AFLP and RAPD markers linked to a locus associated with twisted growth in corkscrew willow (Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa'). Tree Physiology 27: 1575-1583. Abstract

  • Tiimonen H., Häggman H., Tsai C.-J., Chiang V., Aronen T. 2007 The seasonal activity and the effect of mechanical bending and wounding on the PtCOMT promoter in Betula pendula Roth. Plant Cell Reports 26: 1205-1214. Abstract

  • Tsai C.-J., El Kayal W., Harding S.A. 2006 Populus, the new model system for investigating phenylpropanoid complexity (invited review). International Journal of Applied Science and Engineering 4: 221-233. Reprint

  • Brodeur-Campbell S.E., Vucetich J.A., Richter D.L., Waite T.A., Rosemier J.N., Tsai C.-J. 2006 Insect herbivory on low-lignin transgenic aspen. Environmental Entomology 35: 1696-1701. Abstract

  • Tuskan G.A., DiFazio S., Jansson S., Bohlmann J., Grigoriev I., Hellsten U., Putnam N., Ralph S., Rombauts S., Salamov A., Schein J., Sterck L., Aerts A., Bhalerao R.R., Bhalerao R.P., Blaudez D., Boerjan W., Brun A., Brunner A., Busov V., Campbell M., Carlson J., Chalot M., Chapman J., Chen G.-L., Cooper D., Coutinho P.M., Couturier J., Covert S., Cronk Q., Cunningham R., Davis J., Degroeve S., Dejardin A., dePamphilis C., Detter J., Dirks B., Dubchak I., Duplessis S., Ehlting J., Ellis B., Gendler K., Goodstein D., Gribskov M., Grimwood J., Groover A., Gunter L., Hamberger B., Heinze B., Helariutta Y., Henrissat B., Holligan D., Holt R., Huang W., Islam-Faridi N., Jones S., Jones-Rhoades M., Jorgensen R., Joshi C., Kangasjarvi J., Karlsson J., Kelleher C., Kirkpatrick R., Kirst M., Kohler A., Kalluri U., Larimer F., Leebens-Mack J., Leple J.-C., Locascio P., Lou Y., Lucas S., Martin F., Montanini B., Napoli C., Nelson D. R., Nelson C., Nieminen K., Nilsson O., Pereda V., Peter G., Philippe R., Pilate G., Poliakov A., Razumovskaya J., Richardson P., Rinaldi C., Ritland K., Rouze P., Ryaboy D., Schmutz J., Schrader J., Segerman B., Shin H., Siddiqui A., Sterky F., Terry A., Tsai C.-J., Uberbacher E., Unneberg P., Vahala J., Wall K., Wessler S., Yang G., Yin T., Douglas C., Marra M., Sandberg G., Van de Peer Y., Rokhsar D. 2006 The genome of black cottonwood, Populus trichocarpa (Torr. & Gray). Science 313: 1596-1604. Abstract

  • Tsai C.-J., Harding S.A., Tschaplinski T.J., Lindroth R.L., Yuan Y. 2006 Genome-wide analysis of the structural genes regulating defense phenylpropanoid metabolism in Populus. New Phytologist 172: 47-62. Abstract

  • Harding S.A., Jiang H., Jeong M.L., Casado F.L., Lin H.-W., Tsai C.-J. 2005 Functional genomics analysis of foliar condensed tannin and phenolic glycoside regulation in natural cottonwood hybrids. Tree Physiology 25: 1475-1486. Reprint

  • Ho C.-K., Chang S.-H., Lung J., Tsai C.-J., Chen K.-P. 2005 The strategies to increase taxol production by using Taxus mairei cells transformed with TS and DBAT genes. International Journal of Applied Science and Engineering 3: 179-185. Reprint

  • Jeong M.L., Jiang H., Chen H.-S., Tsai C.-J., Harding S.A. 2004 Metabolic profiling the sink to source transition in developing leaves of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides). Plant Physiology 136: 3364-3375. Abstract

  • Tsai C.-J. and Hubscher S.L. 2004 Cryopreservation in Populus functional genomics. New Phytologist 164: 73-81. Abstract

  • Ranjan P., Kao Y.-Y., Jiang H., Joshi C.P., Harding S.A., Tsai C.-J. 2004 Suppression subtractive hybridization-mediated transcriptome analysis from multiple tissues of aspen (Populus tremuloides) trees altered in phenylpropanoid metabolism. Planta 219: 694-704. Abstract

  • Jiang H., Deng Y., Chen H.-S., Tao L., Sha Q., Chen J., Tsai C.-J., Zhang S. 2004 Joint analysis of two microarray gene-expression data sets to select lung adenocarcinoma marker genes. BMC Bioinformatics 5: 81. Full text

  • Wang Y.-S., Harding S.A., Tsai C.-J. 2004 Expression of a glycine decarboxylase complex H-protein in non-photosynthetic tissues of Populus tremuloides. Biochimica Biophysica Acta 1676: 267-273. Abstract

  • Kao Y.-Y., Harding S.A., Tsai C.-J. 2002 Differential expression of two distinct phenylalanine ammonia-lyase genes in condensed tannin-accumulating and lignifying cells of quaking aspen. Plant Physiology 130: 796-807. Abstract

  • Touchell D.H., Chiang V.L., Tsai C.-J. 2002 Cryopreservation of embryogenic cultures of Picea mariana (black spruce) using vitrification. Plant Cell Reports 21:118-124. Abstract

  • Harding S.A., Leshkevich J., Chiang V.L., Tsai C.-J. 2002 Differential substrate inhibition couples kinetically distinct 4-coumarate:CoA ligases with spatially distinct metabolic roles in quaking aspen. Plant Physiology 128: 428-438. Abstract

  • Hu W.-J., Harding S.A., Lung J., Popko J.L., Ralph J., Stokke D.D., Tsai C.-J., Chiang, V.L. 1999 Repression of lignin biosynthesis promotes cellulose accumulation and growth in transgenic trees. Nature Biotechnology 17: 808-812. Abstract

  • Tsai C.-J., Popko J.L., Mielke M.R., Hu W.-J., Podila G.K., Chiang V.L. 1998 Suppression of O-methyltransferase gene by homologous sense transgene in quaking aspen causes red-brown wood phenotypes. Plant Physiology 117(5): 101-112. Abstract

  • Hu W.-J., Kawaoka A., Tsai C.-J., Lung J., Osakabe K., Ebinuma H., Chiang V.L. 1998 Compartmentalized expression of two structurally and functionally distinct 4-coumaric acid:coenzyme A ligase (4CL) genes in aspen (Populus tremuloides). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 95: 5407-5412. Abstract

  • Ho C.-K., Chang S.-H., Tsay J.-Y., Tsai C.-J., Chiang V.L., Chen Z.-Z. 1998 Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and production of transgenic plants. Plant Cell Reports 17 (9): 675 680. Abstract

  • Li L., Popko J.L., Zhang X.-H., Osakabe K., Tsai C.-J., Joshi C.P., Chiang V.L. 1997 A novel multifunctional O-methyltransferase implicated in a dual methylation pathway associated with lignin biosynthesis in loblolly pine. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA. 94: 5461-5466. Abstract

  • Tsai C.-J., Mielke M.R., Podila G.K., Chiang V.L. 1996 3' cycle-labeled oligonucleotides with predictable length and their application in primer extension and transgene analysis. Nucleic Acids Research 24 (24): 5060-5061. Abstract

  • Tsai C.-J., Podila G.K., Chiang V.L. 1995 Nucleotide sequence of a Populus tremuloides gene encodingbispecific caffeic acid/5-hydroxyferulic acid O-methyltransferase. Plant Physiology 107: 1459. Abstract

  • Tsai C.-J., Podila G.K., Chiang V.L. 1994 Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) and regeneration of transgenic plants. Plant Cell Reports 14: 94-97. Abstract

  • Tsai, C.-J., Wang, Y.-N., and Chiang, C.-H. 1994 Protoplast isolation from suspension cultures of Eucalyptus saligna. Q. Jour. Chin. For. 27 (2): 19-24.

  • Tsai C.-J., Wang Y.-N., Chiang C.-H. 1992 Tissue culture propagation of Eucalyptus saligna. Quart. J. Expt.Forest, NTU 6 (2): 33-50.

  • Tsai C.-J., Wang Y.-N., Chiang C.-H. 1992 Multiple shoot induction from 8-year-old trees of Eucalyptus saligna. Quart. J. Expt. Forest, NTU 6 (3): 29-36.

  • Tsai C.-J., Wang Y.-N., Chiang C.-H. 1992 Callus induction and plant regeneration from embryos of Eucalyptus saligna. Q. Jour. Chin. For. 25 (3): 3-14.

Book Edited

  • Cseke L.J., Kaufman P.B., Podila G.K., Tsai C.-J. (eds) 2003 Handbook of Molecular and Cellular Methods in Biology and Medicine. 2nd ed. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.

Book Chapters

  • Joshi C.P., Brunner A., Busov V., Meilan R., Thammannagowda S. and Tsai C.-J. 2007 Poplars. In: Kole C., Hall T.C. (eds) A Compendium of Transgenic Crop Plants. Volume 9. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, UK (in press)

  • Aronen T., Tiimonen H., Tsai C.-J., Jokipii S., Chen X., Chiang V.L., Häggman H. 2003 Altered lignin in transgenic silver birch (Betula pendula) expressing PtCOMT gene. In: Espinel S., Barredo Y., Ritter E. (eds) Sustainable Forestry, Wood Products & Biotechnology. DFA-AFA Press. Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, pp. 149-161.

  • Cseke L.J., Wu W., Tsai C.-J. 2003 Isolation and purification of DNA. In: Cseke L.J., Kaufman P.B., Podila G.K., Tsai C.-J. (eds) Handbook of Molecular and Cellular Methods in Biology and Medicine. 2nd ed. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. pp. 1-24.

  • Harding S.A., Tsai C.-J. Cseke L.J., Chang S.C. and Chen F. 2003 In situ hybridization. In: Cseke L.J., Kaufman P.B., Podila G.K., Tsai C.-J. (eds) Handbook of Molecular and Cellular Methods in Biology and Medicine. 2nd ed. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. pp. 487-508

  • Touchell D.H., Wang Y.-S., Harding S.A., and Tsai C.-J. 2003 Differential display. In: Cseke L.J., Kaufman P.B., Podila G.K., Tsai C.-J. (eds) Handbook of Molecular and Cellular Methods in Biology and Medicine. 2nd ed. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. pp. 305-317

  • Tsai C.-J., Cseke L.J., Harding S.A. 2003 Isolation and purification of RNA. In: Cseke L.J., Kaufman P.B., Podila G.K., Tsai C.-J. (eds) Handbook of Molecular and Cellular Methods in Biology and Medicine. 2nd ed. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. pp. 25-44.

  • Tsai C.-J., Cseke L.J. 2003 Southern hybridization. In: Cseke L.J., Kaufman P.B., Podila G.K., Tsai C.-J. (eds) Handbook of Molecular and Cellular Methods in Biology and Medicine. 2nd ed. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. pp. 85-104.

  • Boerjan W., Baucher M., Chabbert B., Petit-Conil M., Leple J.C., Pilate G., Cornu D., Monties B., Van Montagu M., Van Doorsselaere J., Inze D., Jouanin L., and Tsai C.-J., Podila G.P., Chiang V.L. 1997 Genetic modification of lignin biosynthesis in quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) and poplar (Populus tremula X Populus alba). In: Klopfenstein N.B., eds., Micropropagation, Genetic Engineering, and Molecular Biology of Populus. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. Fort Collins, Colorado, pp. 193-205.

Patents

  • Chiang VL, Tsai C.-J., Podila GK 1999 Genetic engineering of wood color in plants. US Patent Number 5886243, March 1999.

  • Chiang VL, Tsai C.-J., Podila GK 1999 Genetic transformation and regeneration of plants. US Patent Number 5,922,928, July 1999.

  • Chiang VL, Tsai C.-J., Hu W-J 2002 Methods of modifying lignin in plants by transformation with a 4-coumarate:coenzyme A ligase nucleic acid. US Patent Number 6455762, September 2002.

  • Chiang VL, Tsai C.-J., Hu W-J 2004 4-coumarate:coenzyme A ligase promoter. US Patent Number 6831208, December 2004.

  • Chiang VL, Tsai C.-J., Hu W-J 2005 genetic engineering of plants through manipulation of lignin biosynthesis. US Patent Number 6969784, November 2005.

Other Publications

  • Godin, L.M., McCabe L.R., Tsai C.-J., Donahue S.W. 2005 The Time course of shear stress induced changes in bone protein and transcription factor mRNA levels in osteocyte-like MLO-Y4 cells. Proceedings of the 2005 Summer Bioengineering Conference, Paper 0360120, Vail, CO, June 22-26, 2005.

  • Harding SA, Casado FL, Jiang H, Jeong ML, Lin H-W, Tsai C.-J. 2004 Linking functional genomics to tree improvement: Growth and fitness tradeoffs in Populus and Salix. In Li B, and McKeand S (eds), Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding in the Age of Genomics: Progress and Future, IUFRO Joint Conference of Division 2, Conference Proceedings. Charleston, SC, November 3, 2004, pp. 247-248.

  • Aronen T, Tiimonen H, Ylioja T, Niemi K, Tsai C.-J., Laakso T, Saranpää P, Roininen H, Chiang V, Häggman H 2004 Lignin modification in silver birch - Characterisation of transgenic lines containing PtCOMT- or asPt4CL1 and their ecological interactions. In Li B, and McKeand S (eds), Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding in the Age of Genomics: Progress and Future, IUFRO Joint Conference of Division 2, Conference Proceedings. Charleston, SC, November 3, 2004, pp. 344-346.

  • Tsai C.-J., Davis, M.F., Zhang D. and Chiang V.L. 2004 Genetic augmentation of syringyl lignin in low-lignin aspen trees. In: 2004 TAPPI Paper Summit and Spring Technical and International Environmental Conference. Atlanta, GA. Paper no. PS0438.

  • Davis J, Bohlmann J, Jansson S, Pearson L, Thomas B, Tsai C.-J., Villar M 2004 The Populus Genome Science Plan 2004-2009: Genetic Resources. pp. 13-16. http://www.ornl.gov/sci/ipgc/the_populus_genome_science_plan.pdf

  • Harding, S.A., Kao, Y.-Y., and Tsai C.-J. 2003 Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase gene expression in condensed tannin-accumulating and lignifying cells of quaking aspen. In: Plant Biotechnology 2002 and beyond, I.K. Vasil (ed.), Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, Netherlands, pp. 457-459.

  • Tsai C.-J. 2001 Summary of Breakout 4A - Wood Modification. Proceedings of the First International Symposium on Ecological and Societal Aspects of Transgenic Plantations. Strauss S.H. and Bradshaw, H.D. (eds) College of Forestry, Oregon State University, 2001, pp. 208-209.

  • Tsai C.-J., Harding, S.A., Hu, W.-J., Lung, J., Popko, J.L. and Chiang, V.L. 2000 Enhanced growth and cellulose accumulation in lignin-reduced transgenic aspen trees. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Environmentally Friendly and Emerging Technologies for a Sustainable Pulp and paper Industry. Taipei, Taiwan. pp. 263-266.

  • Chen, Z.-Z., Chang, S.-H., Ho, C.-K., Tsay, J.-Y., Tsai, J.-B., Tsai C.-J., and Chiang, V.L. 2000 Current advances on tree improvement of Eucalyptus camaldulensis at molecular level in Taiwan. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Environmentally Friendly and Emerging Technologies for a Sustainable Pulp and Paper Industry. Taipei, Taiwan. pp. 255-257.

  • Hu, W.-J., Harding, S.A., Lung, J., Popko, J.L., Tsai C.-J., Chiang, V.L., Ralph, J. and Stokke, D.D. 1999 Repression of lignin biosynthesis in transgenic trees results in high-cellulose and accelerated growth phenotypes. Proceedings of the 10th International Symposium on Wood and Pulping Chemistry. Yokohama, Japan. pp. 516-519.

  • Tsai C.-J., Mielke, M.R., Popko, J.L., Monosso, J.M., Hu, W.-J., Podila, G.K., and Chiang, V.L. 1999 Altered lignin composition in quaking aspen through manipulation of caffeic acid/5-hydroxy ferulic acid O-methyltransferase gene expression. In: A. Jamieson, ed. Proceedings of the Second International Wood Biotechnology Symposium. North Forest Products Limited, Ridgley, Australia. pp. 89-95.

  • Ho, C.-K., Chang, S.-H., Tsay, J.-Y., Tsai C.-J., Chiang, V.L., Chen, Z.-Z., 1997 Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and its association with conventional tree improvement programs.1997 TAPPI Biological Sciences Symposium. San Francisco, CA, October 19-23, TAPPI press, Technology Park, Atlanta. pp. 525-528.

  • Tsai C.-J., Yu, J., Ge, L., Hu, W.-J., Kawaoka, A., Kumar, S., Podila, G.K., and Chiang, V.L. 1995 Transgenic aspen harboring antisense OMT gene and characterization of regulatory sequences of aspen OMT gene. In: Srebotnik, E., and Messner, K., eds., Biotechnology in the Pulp and Paper Industry: Recent Advances in Applied and Fundamental Research. Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Biotechnology in the Pulp and Paper Industry. Facultas-Universitatsverlay, Vienna, Austria. pp. 301-309.

  • Chiang, V.L., Tsai C.-J., Kumar, A.S., Yu, J., and Podila, G.K. 1994 Regulation of lignin biosynthesis in transgenic quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides). TAPPI Biological Sciences Symposium. TAPPI press, Technology Park, Atlanta. pp.161-171.

  • Karnosky, D.F., Podila, G.K., Shin, D.I., Tsai C.-J., Chiang, V.L. 1994 Progress in production of transgenic trees with value-added genes: Results with larch and aspen. TAPPI Biological Sciences Symposium. TAPPI press, Technology Park, Atlanta. pp. 157-160.

  • Chiang, V.L., Chen, Z.-Z., Podila, G.K., Wang, W.-Y., Bugos, R.C., Campbell, W.H., Dwivedi, U.N., Yu, J., Tsai C.-J., Tsay, J.-Y., and Yang, J.-C. 1993 Genetic manipulation of lignification in Liquidambar styraciflua (sweetgum) by introduction of a chimeric sense or antisense O-methyltransferase gene cloned from Populus tremuloides (aspen). International conference on Emerging Technologies for Pulp and Paper Industry, May18-20, Taipei, Taiwan. pp. 26-29

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COURSES

  • FW5080 Gene Profiling Analysis (Spring) Advanced training in modern molecular techniques, with an emphasis on gene expression analysis. Discussion of various gene profiling methods and their applications. Hands-on laboratory exercises and data analysis.

  • FW5085 Functional Genomics and Biotechnology (Fall) Fundamentals and practical applications of functional genomics tools in biological research. Topics include transcript profiling, regulation of gene expression, mechanisms of gene silencing, genetic transformation, and high throughput DNA microarray profiling, proteomics and metabolomics technologies.

  • FW3075 Introduction to Plant Biotechnology (1999-2003) Introduction to basic concepts and practical applications of plant biotechnology with an emphasis on agricultural industry-related applications. Use of biotechnological approaches to resolve problems related to biomass production, crop and wood quality, and environmental stresses. Successful cases, potential applications and problems are discussed (this course is now offered by Dr. Busov).

  • FW335 Wood Structure (1997-2000, this course has been combined with FW1035 and is no longer offered) Structure, properties, and utilization of wood and woody cells in softwood and hardwood species. Microscopic identification of wood and wood fibers. Strategies for improving wood properties and value of wood products.

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PERSONNEL

Research Scientists
  • Dr. Yinan Yuan, Postdoctoral Scientist (01/05-present)
  • Dr. Alexander Raskind, Postdoctoral Scientist (04/06-present, major supervisor Dr. Harding)
  • Dr. Benjamin Babst, Postdoctoral Scientist (07/06-present)
  • Dr. Keming Luo, Postdoctoral Scientist (03/07-present, major supervisor Dr. Harding)
  • Michelle Jarvie, Research Associate (2006-present)
Graduate Students
  • Edward Anino (Ph.D., 01/03-present)
  • Han-Yi Chen (M.S./Ph.D., 06/05-present)
  • Rodney Oakley (Ph.D., 08/02-present)
  • Raja Payyavula (Ph.D., 08/05-present)
  • Lindsey Tuominen (Ph.D., 01/07-present)
  • Wanyi Zhu (Ph.D., 01/08-present)
Lab Alumni

Research Scientists and Postdoctoral Research Associates
  • Ms. Jingwei Yin, Research Associate (2007)
  • Dr. Abdur Siker, Postdoctoral Scientist (2007)
  • Dr. Changyu Hu, Postdoctoral Scientist (2005-2007)
  • Ms. Sandra Hubscher, Research Associate (2004-2007)
  • Dr. Walid El Kayal, Postdoctoral Scientist (2006-2007, major supervisor Dr. Harding)
  • Dr. Priya Ranjan, Postdoctoral Scientist (2006)
  • Dr. Han-Wei Lin, Postdoctoral Scientist (2003-2006)
  • Ms. Aparna Deshpande, Research Associate (2005)
  • Dr. Hongying (Helen) Jiang, Postdoctoral & Bioinformaticist (2002-04)
  • Dr. Mijeong Jeong, Research Scientist (2001-04)
  • Ms. Becky Curtis, Research Associate (2001-04)
  • Dr. Dongyan Zhang, Postdoctoral Scientist (2002-04)
  • Dr. Maria Hernandez, Postdoctoral Scientist (2002-04)
  • Dr. Darren Touchell, Postdoctoral Scientist (2000-03)
  • Dr. Yu-Ying Kao, Postdoctoral Scientist (2001-03)
  • Dr. Tae-Jin Lee, Postdoctoral Scientist (2001-02)
  • Dr. In-Suk Ahn, Postdoctoral Scientist (2000-02)
Graduate Students
  • Rajinikanth Mohan (Ph.D., 2006)
  • Fanny Casado (M.S., 2006)
  • Priya Ranjan (Ph.D., 2005, co-chair)
  • Jrhau Lung (Ph.D., 2004)
  • Sandra Hubscher (M.S., 2004)
  • Sarah Brodeur-Campbell (M.S., 2004, co-chair)
  • Sara E. Blumer (M.S., 2002)
  • Yuh-Shuh Wang (Ph.D., 2002)
  • Phaik Yin Mark (M.S., 2002)
  • Priit Pechter (Ph.D., 2001, co-chair)
  • Rebeccah J. Steinbrecher (M.S., 2001)
  • Yu-Ying Kao (Ph.D., 2001, co-chair)
Visiting Scholars
  • Mr. Chien-Fu (Mark) Chen, Visiting Graduate Student (ChaoYang University of Technology, Taiwan, 2007)
  • Dr. Shu-Hwa Chang (Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, 1999, 2000)
  • Dr. Cheng-Kuen Ho (Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, 1999, 2000)
  • Dr. Tuija Aronen (Finnish Forest Research Institute, 1998)
[Top]

PRESENTATIONS

2007 The effects of GE trees on wildlife and their natural habitats: What have we learned, and where do we go from here? (invited). National Research Council Workshop on Genetically Engineered Organisms, Wildlife, and Habitats, Irvine, CA, November 5-6, 2007

Plant-wide phenylpropanoid defense network in Populus. IUFRO Forestry Biotechnology 2007 Meeting, Azores, Portugal, June 3-8, 2007

Phenylpropanoid networking in Populus: coordinating wood formation with growth and defense (invited). School of Forestry and Natural Resources Seminar, University of Georgia, April 12, 2007

A functional genomics view of phenylpropanoid metabolism in poplars: from wood formation to tree growth and ecosystem fitness (invited). Plant Biology Seminar Series, Pennsylvania State University, March 19, 2007

2006 Microarray and metabolite profiling of phenylpropanoid metabolism in Populus (invited). Institute of BioAgricultural Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, December 22, 2006

Functional genomics of carbon allocation for growth and fitness in Populus. Fourth International Poplar Symposium. Nanjing, China, June 5-9, 2006

Functional genomics of secondary metabolism in Populus (invited lecture). MTU Department of Chemistry Seminar Series. March 31, 2006

Forest functional genomics: from tree improvement to ecosystem investigation (invited seminar). Taiwan Forestry Research Institute. Taipei, Taiwan, March 9, 2006

Microarray and metabolite profiling of secondary metabolism in Populus (invited lecture). National Taiwan University. Taipei, Taiwan, March 8, 2006

Microarray and metabolite profiling of secondary metabolism in Populus (invited presentation). The molecular aspects of plant secondary metabolism in response to UV-B radiation UV-B Workshop. San Antonio, TX, February 2-3, 2006

2005 A functional genomics investigation of carbon partitioning among secondary metabolite pools in Populus (invited presentation). IUFRO Tree Biotechnology 2005 Meeting. Pretoria, South Africa, November 7-11, 2005

Linking functional genomics to tree improvement: growth and fitness tradeoffs in Populus (invited lecture). Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China, August 12, 2005

Lignin Biotechnology (invited lecture). Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China, August 12, 2005

Tradeoffs between growth and defense in Populus: A functional genomics perspective (invited seminar). Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, April 26, 2005

2004 Linking functional genomics to tree improvement: Growth and fitness tradeoffs in Populus and Salix (invited presentation). IUFRO Forest Genetics 2004 Meeting. Charleston, SC, Nov. 3, 2004

Functional genomics and tree improvement: A case study on resource allocation (plenary session). 18th North American Forest Biology Workshop: Managing forest resources in the 21st century: An integrated approach. Houghton, MI, July 13, 2004

Molecular regulation of microtubules during microfibril deposition in wood forming tissues (invited presentation). Forest Products Society 58th Meeting. Grand Rapids, MI, Jun 27, 2004

Genetic augmentation of syringyl lignin in low-lignin transgenic trees. TAPPI Paper Summit, Atlanta, GA, May 3, 2004

Functional genomics of tree growth and development. POPGENICS Consortium Meeting, Rhinelander, WI, April 25, 2004

2003 Populus cell culture as a component for functional genomics research (invited presentation). IUFRO Tree Biotechnology 2003 Meeting, Umeå, Sweden, June 7-12, 2003

2002 Forest biotechnology (invited presentation). NAPFSC-NPC Fall Meeting: Biobased Forest Products. More Efficient Use of Forest Resources. USFS Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, WI, September 23-25, 2002.

Functional genomics of aspen (invited presentation). Populus Functional Genomics Workshop. Umeå, Sweden, August 30, 2002.

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase gene expression in condensed tannin-accumulating and lignifying cells of quaking aspen (invited presentation). 10th IAPTC&B Congress: Plant Biotechnology 2002 and Beyond. Orlando, Florida, June 23-28, 2002.

2001 Transgenic aspen with altered lignin (invited presentation). IUFRO Tree Biotechnology in the New Millennium. Stevenson, Washington. July 22-27, 2001.

Coordination of lignification and flavonoid biosynthesis by 4-coumarate:CoA ligase in aspen. International Wood Biotechnology Symposium. Narita, Japan, March 14-17, 2001.

2000 Enhanced growth and cellulose accumulation in lignin-reduced transgenic aspen trees (invited presentation). International Symposium on Environmentally Friendly and Emerging Technologies for a Sustainable Pulp and Paper Industry. Taipei, Taiwan, April 24-27, 2000.

1999 Enhanced growth and cellulose accumulation in lignin-reduced transgenic aspen with down-regulated 4-coumarate:CoA ligase (invited presentation). IUFRO Forest Biotechnology '99, Oxford, United Kingdom, July 11-16, 1999.

Transgenic aspen with altered lignin. Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research Symposium. Washington, DC, March 2-4, 1999.

1998 Reduced lignin quantity, increased cellulose content, and enhanced growth in transgenic aspen trees (invited presentation). Conifer Biotechnology Working Group 8th Meeting. New Brunswick, NJ, June 7-11, 1998.

The impact of genetic engineering on ecosystem? School of Forestry and Wood Products, Michigan Technological University, September 24, 1998.

1997 Altered lignin composition in quaking aspen through manipulation of caffeic acid/5-hydroxy ferulic acid O-methyltransferase gene expression (invited presentation). 2nd International Wood Biotechnology Symposium, Canberra, Australia, March 10-12, 1997.

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and its association with conventional tree improvement programs (invited presentation). TAPPI Biological Sciences Symposium. San Francisco, CA, October 19-23, 1997.

1996 Genetic engineering of wood. Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, Taipei, Taiwan, Dec 30, 1996. Genetic engineering of lignin biosynthesis. Taiwan Agriculture Research Institute. Taichung, Taiwan, December 27, 1996