Mr Tim
Sexton
PhD student
Topic: application of molecular
genetics to improve wood quality in Blackbutt (Eucalyptus
pilularis SMITH)
Southern Cross University, Centre for Plant
Conservation Genetics
Email: t.sexton.10@scu.edu.au
Blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis SMITH)
is the premier hardwood species grown in subtropical plantations of
Australia for timber, plywood and veneer. The domestication of
Blackbutt is still in its early stages despite a tree breeding
programme that has been operating since 1961. Plant breeders are
currently making selections from up to two generations of trees
from plantation seed collections, as well as from seed collections
from individuals in wild populations. Progress in such a tree
breeding programme is painfully slow and limited largely by the
long generation times of the trees themselves.
Based at the Centre for
Plant Conservation Genetics, at Southern Cross University in
Lismore, my aim is to identify associations between DNA variation
(SNPs) in a candidate gene and desirable wood quality traits of
Blackbutt. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are base changes
of DNA identified within a particular gene. These changes are
responsible for much genetic variation among individuals of a
natural population. SNPs can be identified using a number of high
throughput technologies which will be assessed for suitability
during an initial pilot study. Associations between SNPs in the
candidate gene and changes in wood quality traits will be
determined using statistical methods.
Assigning molecular markers such as SNPs to wood
quality traits would enable the phenotyping of individuals at the
seedling stage, effectively overcoming significant setbacks in the
domestication of E. pilularis associated with the
crop’s long generation times.
Before I became involved with this research, I
undertook a Bachelor of Science with majors in Botany and
Biochemistry/Molecular Biology as well as Honours in
Biochemistry/Molecular Biology at James Cook University in
Townsville. Here, I gained valuable research experience cloning and
assaying both CAM and C4 photosynthetic enzymes. After completing
my degree I kept myself active demonstrating analytical techniques
to PhD students at James Cook University, and also working with the
Queensland Government Department of Primary Industries and
Fisheries on the mango genomics project.
My supervisors are Dr Mervyn Shepherd and Professor Robert Henry of Southern Cross
University; and Dr Dane Thomas and Mr Michael Henson of State
Forests NSW.
My PhD studies contribute to the CRC for
Forestry (RP2.2) Silviculture research project and the (RP2) High Value
Wood Resources research programme.
To browse other PhD projects available with
the High Value Wood Resources research programme,
click here
