Shortcourse: GENOMICS IN TREE BREEDING AND FOREST ECOSYSTEMS

Genomics-based strategies for tree breeding and gene resource management

When: June 15-19, 2009
Where: University of California, Davis
Registration Fee: $250
A Shortcourse Flyer is available here
Accepted applicants register for the workshop here

Course Topics:

Basic principles in population and quantitative genetics
Introduction to conventional tree breeding
Genetic markers, measuring, and interpreting marker variation
Molecular population genomics
Genetic maps and QTL mapping
Association testing and mapping
MAS in tree improvement - concepts and experimental results
Implementation strategies and economics of MAS in tree improvement
Genomic applications in genetic resource management: cross disciplinary studies
On-line tools and resources

Instructors:

David Harry, Oregon State University
Nicholas Wheeler, Oregon State University
David Neale, University of California, Davis
Jill Wegrzyn, University of California, Davis

Background Reading:

Workshop Syllabus -

Goals and Organization: This workshop is an intensive 5-day (approx 40 hr) short-course, with topics organized into 10 modules, two modules presented each day. The workshop will provide a detailed overview of genomics-based (e.g. MAS and MAB) breeding strategies in forestry, while maintaining sufficient breadth to be attractive to students and researchers in the more general arena of forest ecosystems. Modules will include both lectures (PowerPoint slides) and opportunities for interactive learning (e.g. computer-based laboratory exercise or other activity). All sessions will be held in a computer lab on the UC Davis campus.

Audience: Graduate students, post-docs, active tree breeders and advanced undergraduates will be recruited from across the U.S. and internationally. There are no formal prerequisites, but prospective students will be encouraged to have a general familiarity with topics such as population / evolutionary genetics, molecular and quantitative genetics, genecology, tree breeding and genomics. For each module, basic concepts will be reviewed briefly prior to introducing more advanced content. All resource / reference materials will be provided, using a combination of printed and online resources. We anticipate attendees will represent diverse academic backgrounds, so the laboratory exercises will be designed to accommodate different styles and paces of learning. All institutional and individual participants are committed to encouraging ethnic, cultural, and gender diversity in the learning environment.

Outcomes: Upon completion of this 5-day workshop, students will have learned to:

calculate and evaluate estimates of variation using standard population and quantitative genetic metrics such as heterozygosity and heritability
predict how historical or prospective natural or management activities are likely to affect population structure
anticipate likely impacts (genetic gain, inbreeding, etc) of standard tree-improvement activities
outline how typical tree improvement operations are organized, and how they are jointly influenced by institutional goals and biological constraints
quantify and evaluate population dynamics based on information supplied by various genetic markers
trace the history of how various technologies have influenced the development of different types of genetic markers
use public computer programs to evaluate population parameters using genetic markers
distinguish among alternative strategies for genetic mapping of markers and QTL
explain background concepts by which genetic markers are first developed, and then applied, in marker-breeding applications
predict and evaluate alternative breeding strategies based on quantitative genetics, molecular breeding, and a combination of approaches
locate, read, and evaluate original literature published in well-known scientific journals, including inter-disciplinary studies (e.g. diagnostics and forensic applications)
attain an enhanced awareness and facility with the many rich online resources encompassing a breadth of genomics tools and applications

Module Introductions and Outlines