Wood Utilization Laboratory Yoshihiro HOSOO Associate Professor, Ph.D. •Tree Molecular Biology •Tree Histology & Cytology •Wood Anatomy •Wood Property Activities of trees constituting forests at the whole-tree level are closely linked to their activities at the cellular and molecular levels. Our laboratory are studying the mechanisms of life activities of trees, including potassium membrane transport, wood formation, and wood properties, using various approaches involving the fields such as cell biology and molecular biology. These studies are expected to contribute to the development of trees that grow rapidly, with excellent wood quality and high environmental stress tolerance, to produce usable wood materials that will help to improving and preserving the environment. We are mainly conducting the following researches: (1) Potassium membrane transport in trees Potassium ion (K+) is the most abundant cation in plant cells and plays a central role in many aspects of plant physiology. The transport (uptake or efflux) of K+ across biological membranes of the cell is mediated by membrane transport proteins. We are studying genes encoding K+ membrane transport proteins in trees. We isolated a gene encoding K+ membrane transport protein from a conifer for the first time in the world and clarified its properties. We are analyzing samples collected from trees grown in the field and saplings grown in growth chambers using various techniques. (2) Wood cell wall formation in trees Wood biomass is the most abundant biomass on the earth. The most fundamental constituent of the wood in a tree is the highly developed cell wall formed by xylem cells. We are studying the mechanism of xylem cell wall formation using cell biological and molecular approaches. Predicted membrane topology of K+ membrane transport protein (CjKUP1) in sugi (Cryptomeria jaopnica) CjKUP1 functions in K+ uptake across the membrane membrane N C extracellular intracellular Environmental Symbiosis Science Division Laboratory of Risk Management Kana KAMIMURA Assistant Professor, Ph.D. Key words -Wind damage -Storm/Hurricane -Forest management -Mechanistic models -Game theory -Statistical analysis Due to climate change and the current condition of planted forests, we expect that the damage in forests will increase in the future. To find the strategies to mitigate damage occurrence, we have conducted field experiments and temporal/spatial data analysis to understand the mechanism of damage occurrence. In particular, wind damage caused by strong storms (typhoons) is currently focused in terms of biological, meteorological, and mechanistic perspectives. The final goal of the research is to provide management strategies in decision-making process by forest owners in order to achieve sustainable forest resources. 1. Mechanical interactions between trees This research is aimed to understand how trees mechanically interact during storms/typhoons. A B C D A B C Damage in forests in Toyama caused by a typhoon in 2004 (left) and snow and wind damage in Basque, Spain (right) Estimation of forest damage using aerial photos 2. Agent-based modeling of damage propagation Damage propagation in forests caused by strong wind has been simulated using agent-based modeling approach coupling with the theories of boundary-layer and silviculture. 3. Forest damage caused by tropical and extra-tropical cyclones Forest damage due to strong wind and heavy raining from tropical and extra-tropical cyclones has been statistically analyzed at regional and county level in order to find the spatial/temporal tendency of damage occurrence. After storm… DAMAGE! Before WIND Environmental Symbiosis Science Division 22
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