By developing hardier species and uncovering discoveries that lead to better forest management practices, FER's forest genetics and biotechnology program is directly contributing to the economic health of the many people and communities in North Carolina who depend on forestry or related wood and tourism industries as a source of income.
Key Contacts
Vincent Chiang Professor of Forestry
Co-Director, Forest Biotechnology Group
Phone: 919-513.0098
Fax: 919-515-7801 vincent_chiang@ncsu.edu
Ron Sederoff
Professor of Forestry
Co-Director, Forest Biotechnology Group
Phone: 919-513-0073 volvo@unity.ncsu.edu
John Frampton
Professor & Christmas Tree Genetics Program Leader
Phone: 919-515-7580 john_frampton@ncsu.edu
Steve McKeand
Professor of Forestry
Director, NCSU Cooperative Tree Improvement Program
Phone: 919-515-3168
FER’s forest genetics and biotechnology vision is based on a desire to continue pioneering advances in its basic sciences through extensive research efforts — but to step up its role in developing those advances into practical applications with benefits for the forestry industry and world at large.
Scientific discoveries and advances in genetics and biotechnology have come at a fast and furious pace for the past decade, transforming our knowledge about basic biological processes. However, development of the technologies and knowledge generated by these breakthroughs into cost-effective, practical applications has tended to lag behind. FER’s forest genetics and biotechnology goal is to help adapt the discoveries and new technologies now being used in such areas as genomics, characterizations of metabolic processes and a host of other biomedial processes for use in forestry and other arenas.
In the years ahead, we intend to continue our pioneering research into genetics and biotechnology, but to also focus on analyzing the costs and benefits of various breakthroughs, develop cost-effective ways to adapt genetic techniques and biotechnologies and find ways to leverage this expensive area of research into practical tools.
We hope our findings will help us solve such real world problems as restoring the American Chestnut tree; developing hardier, more productive forest and fruit trees; and eliminating the risk of blights and pests that now impair the health of our forest systems.
