Neil Towers (Sep. 28, 1923 - Nov. 15, 2004)

Category(-ies): Centre for Plant Research News

With great sadness, the Centre for Plant Research mourns the loss of Dr. Neil Towers, UBC Emeritus Professor of Botany. Dr. Towers joined the UBC Faculty in 1964, where he ardently pursued his research and teaching until his death. Dr. Towers was well known for his work in botany and phytochemistry and recognized as one of the world's most cited scientists.

Posted by Daniel Mosquin at 10:08 AM on November 26, 2004

Poplar Genome Decoded

Category(-ies): Centre for Plant Research News

An international consortium, including researchers at the University of British Columbia, has decoded the first complete DNA sequence of a tree, Populus trichocarpa, the Black Cottonwood. Poplar was chosen because of its relatively small genome size. Although considerably smaller than other trees, the poplar genome is four times the size of the first plant sequenced, Arabidopsis thaliana.

Links:

• JGI Populus US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute (JGI) genome browser and repository for all poplar sequence information


• The Book Opens on the First Tree Genome press release from Genome Canada


• First tree genome unveiled in CBC News


• Poplar DNA code cracked -- a step in combating global warming? press release from Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) published by EurekAlert

Posted by Daniel Mosquin at 3:36 PM on September 23, 2004

Treenomix

Category(-ies): Centre for Plant Research News

Treenomix is a forestry genomics research program that aims to provide a solid base in tree genomics to advance biological knowledge and aid breeding programs. The program involves researchers at UBC in collaboration with the Genome Sciences Centre and the Vancouver General Hospital.

The project is funded by Genome British Columbia and Genome Canada.

Links:

• Treenomix


• Genome British Columbia


• Genome Canada


• Genome Sciences Centre - Forestry Genomics Summary


• CAN-TILL (The Canadian TILLING Initiative)

Posted by Daniel Mosquin at 4:17 PM on May 11, 2004

Donation of Fluorometer to the Centre for Plant Research

Category(-ies): Centre for Plant Research News

Turner Biosystems have sponsored the CPR by donating a fluorometer. For details see the following link Fluorometer grants.

Posted by Daniel Mosquin at 8:55 AM on April 22, 2004

The Centre for Plant Research and Forest 2020

Category(-ies): Centre for Plant Research News

The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Member of Parliament and Minister of Natural Resources Canada, visited UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research on Thursday, November 27, 2003, to announce important details about "Forest 2020". Forest 2020 is a federal funding initiative aimed at scoping forestry solutions to carbon sequestration, in response to Canada's Kyoto Treaty obligations. The Minister saw at first hand University of British Columbia's research on poplar and other forest trees.

Canada NewsWire Press Release for the Honourable Herb Dhaliwal's Visit
Forest 2020
Forest 2020 - Frequently Asked Questions

Posted by Daniel Mosquin at 2:05 AM on December 4, 2003