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Pacific Southwest Research Station
800 Buchanan Street
West Annex Building
Albany, CA 94710-0011
(510) 559-6300
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Programs and Projects
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(RWU-4103)
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Institute of Forest Genetics
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The Institute of Forest Genetics is a USDA Forest Service research unit with facilities in Placerville and Davis, California. Research at the Institute focuses on three areas: biodiversity and conservation genetics, disease resistance, and the molecular genetics and genomics of traits underlying the health and productivity of forests. The Institute of Forest Genetics has a distinguished history of forest genetics research spanning more than 75 years.
Research Emphasis Areas
![[Photograph]: pine cone](pics/cone3.jpg)
Biodiversity and Conservation
Genetics Describing the genetic diversity and composition
of forest tree populations is crucial for understanding the evolution
and biogeography of tree species, and for guiding strategies that
identify and protect endangered populations. Researchers at IFG are
identifying unique and endangered populations, and using population
genetic tools to understand the effects of environmental change, habitat
fragmentation, and invasive species on the long-term survival of tree
populations. Genetic resources curated by IFG include the Eddy
Arboretum, and the Critchfield Herbarium.
IFG also contributes to Dendrome,
a forest tree genome database.
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The Institute of Forest Genetics with its primary location in Davis, California is a research program of the Pacific Southwest Research Station, headquartered in Albany, California. The unit and research station are part of the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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![[Photograph]: seedling test](pics/seedlings1.jpg) Disease Resistance Introduced diseases currently threaten many tree species in the US. Understanding the genes that make some individuals resistant to disease serves as a basis for control. Researchers at IFG are investigating the genetic basis of resistance to diseases, including white pine blister rust and pitch canker.
Molecular Genetics and Genomics
New technologies are being developed and used to identify individual genes
influencing forest health and productivity. Researchers at IFG are identifying
and characterizing genes regulating wood formation, crown form, adaptive
traits, and disease resistance. Understanding the biological basis of these
traits enables new research and applications with applicability to a wide
range of problems including bioenergy, forest products, and forest of forest
health and productivity.
Education and Outreach The
Institute is proud to host visiting scientists and students from around
the world. We regularly sponsor undergraduate student interns at both our
Davis and Placerville locations. Grade school children are introduced to
forest genetics through guided tours of the Eddy
Arboretum, which contains one of the most complete collections of pines
in the world. |
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