UPP

In Uppsala, plant biology research is performed at the NL-faculty of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and the TekNat faculty at Uppsala University (UU), as well as at the forest research institute Skogforsk. Together these units provide an outstanding basis/opportunity for top quality integrated plant science.
There is an unexploited potential in collaboration between plant science researchers at the two universities and Skogforsk. By exploring the complementary competences and building on common strengths we think there is a great opportunity for synergistic effects leading to more contacts and common projects. The main activities are performed at the following departments:

Skogforsk

SLU NL-faculty:
Plant Biology and Forest Genetics (VBSG)
Forest Mycology and Pathology (MycoPat)
Plant Production Ecology (VPE)
Ecology (Ecol)
Microbiology (Micro)

UU TekNat-faculty:
Ecology and Genetics (IEG)
Organismal Biology (IOB)

The Uppsala departments/institute drive high quality scientific projects aiming at understanding the basic functional aspects of plant development and plant performance (VBSG, IEG, IOB, Micro, Skogforsk), the interaction between plants and their biotic (VBSG, MycoPat, Ecol, IEG, IOB, Skogforsk), and abiotic (VBSG, IOB, Skogforsk) environments. Together these projects make an impressive scientific platform bridging from basic to applied sciences, as well as from ecological to agricultural and forestry applications. 

This platform is already being used in common up-to-date integrative projects of which some examples are given below.

• SSF financed programme on “Root rot in conifers”: two SLU departments (MycoPat, VBSG) & Skogforsk
• SAMBA programme financed by STEM on Salix biomass production: three SLU departments (VBSG, MycoPat, VPE)
• BREDNET (ERAnet financing together with GB and Germany) programme on Salix biomass production in marginal environments: two SLU departments (VBSG, VPE) and one UU department (IEGS)
• Spruce phenology (abiotic adaptation): one SLU department (VBSG), one UU department (IEGS) and Skogforsk, financed by VR, Formas, EU & Tryggers
• Acrocona platform for early cone setting in conifers: one SLU department (VBSG) and Skogforsk financed by The Association for Forest Tree Breeding, Carl Tryggers Foundation and The Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry
• Cassava genomics for production/adaptation: one SLU department (VBSG) and one UU department (IEGS), financed by SIDA and CIAT
• Resistance in Scots pine against insect pests in relation to climate: one SLU department (Ecol) and Skogforsk, financed by Formas
• Genetics behind resistance against a gall-forming insect in Salix: two SLU departments (Ecol, VBSG), financed by Formas

The platform will strengthen its integration of basic and applied approaches by identifying and starting new collaborative projects within important areas.

The UPP steering committee

From June 2010 the UPP steering committee consists of:

Eva Sundberg (VBSG, SLU), chairperson (eva.sundberg@vbsg.slu.se)
Jon Ågren (IEG, UU), vice chairperson (jon.agren@ebc.uu.se)
Christer Björkman (Ecol, SLU) (christer.bjorkman@ekol.slu.se)
Jan Stenlid (Mycopat, SLU) (jan.stenlid@mykopat.slu.se)
Annika Sundås-Larsson (IOB, UU) (annika.sundas-larsson@ebc.uu.se)
Gunnar Jansson (Skogforsk) (gunnar.jansson@skogforsk.se)