Promoting Conifer Genomics (ProCoGen) - a EU-Funded Research Project on Conifer Genomics

“Promoting a functional and comparative understanding of the conifer genome- implementing applied aspects for more productive and adaptive forests” – ProCoGen is a research project funded by the European Commission 2012-2015 in order to investigate and increase our knowledge on the mechanisms underlining the expression of important adaptive and productive traits in our forest species. The latest technological advancements and innovations in genetic engineering and molecular biology can provide tree breeders with tools for precise selection and help gear up for the future global climatic change scenario. They can also facilitate the maintenance of high quality standards of European forests as sustainable production tools. ProCoGen not only aims at integrating the activities of 19 European research groups, across 11 European nations involved in conifer genome research, but also aspires to strengthen international collaboration with two research groups in Canada. ProCoGen has a total budget of about €7.7million and is supported by EC funding of € 5.9million under the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. This poster summarizes scientific project achievements to date, such as development of genomic resources (sequencing and re-sequencing in Pinus sylvestris and P. pinaster), discovery of adaptive capacities (transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses, differential gene expression studies), comparative genomics (COS marker development and exome capture), computational genomics (genome assembly, SNP identification, phylogenomics), and translational genomics (breeding simulation, genomic selection, fingerprinting and traceability), as well as efforts to disseminate project results.