Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology

We are part of Umeå Plant Science Centre, a centre of excellence for experimental plant research and forest biotechnology. Our mission is to:

  • perform excellent and innovative basic research
  • generate knowledge that benefits forestry, agriculture, environment and society

Umeå Plant Science Centre

Find more detailed information about our research, activities and facilities on the website of Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC).
News & Events

News

  • 2025-09-08

    Aspen trees integrate light and temperature to time bud set

    Even in summer, sudden cold snaps are common in northern regions such as Umeå. To survive, trees must know when to keep growing and when to stop and prepare for winter. Now, researchers at UPSC have discovered how aspen trees sense temperature and combine it with daylight to make that decision.
  • 2025-09-01

    Scientists map aspen tree genes across seasons, creating a detailed genetic roadmap

    Aspen trees follow a precise annual rhythm, shaped by the changing seasons. Researchers at UPSC have mapped this natural calendar at the genetic level, comparing trees grown outdoors and in the lab. Their study offers a detailed look into the molecular choreography behind the trees’ seasonal life.
  • 2025-08-27

    The protein that helps seedlings straighten

    Seedlings bend their tip as they grow through soil, then straighten when they reach light. Scientists from Umeå have, after years of challenging research, identified a protein that promotes this straightening by regulating cell growth through the plant hormone auxin.
  • 2025-08-11

    Unlocking nature’s blueprint – scientists identified the function of a so far uncharacterised protein complex

    Scientists have uncovered the functions of many genes and proteins across different organisms, but much is still unknown. Now, researchers at Umeå Plant Science Centre have identified the function of a protein complex involved in establishing protein production in plants.
  • 2025-07-30

    Laura Tünnermann receives the Marschner Young Scientist Award

    Last week, the International Plant Nutrition Council announced the winners of the prestigious Marschner Young Scientist Award. Laura Tünnermann was selected as one of two recipients in the PhD student category and received the award at the 20th International Plant Nutrition Colloquium in Porto.

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