College of Forestry
New and Notable
Scientists say sustainable forestry organizations should lift ban on biotech trees
The ban on genetically modified trees in sustainable forestry organizations hinders research and should change, researchers say in today's issue of Science. The technology, they argue, has important potential to remedy many pressing problems facing forests.
Additional Information:
National Academies: Biotechnology Has Potential to Mitigate Forest Threats
Steve Strauss is featured in the February 2019 issue of Forestry Source, published by the Society of American Foresters.
Related Documents:
Future of gene editing in limbo
Strauss' views of serious obstacles to gene editing a focus of news article in Capitol Press
Additional Information:
Forest science coalition calls for review of restrictive policies regarding biotech research
A coalition of forest scientists including Steve Strauss of Oregon State University is calling for an immediate review of international policies that the group says put unreasonable and harmful limitations on biotech research.
Additional Information:
Steve Strauss interviewed on Utah Public Radio
Steve Strauss was interviewed on the Utah Public Radio program UnDisciplined. The title of the interview was "The Wetland Ecologist And The Forest Biotechnologist".
Additional Information:
Study: Trees Can Be Genetically Engineered Not to Spread
Strauss Lab research was featured in the October 2018 issue of The Forestry Source, published by the Society of American Foresters
Related Documents:
Poplar study highlighted in USDA’s Fresh from the Field Impact
“There’s still more to know and more research to be done, but this looks really good,” said corresponding author Steve Strauss, distinguished professor of forest biotechnology at OSU. “It’s very exciting.”
Additional Information:
Steve Strauss on OPB's Think Out Loud
Steve Strauss, a distinguished professor of biotechnology at OSU, joins OPB's Think Out Loud to discuss a recent field study that demonstrated trees can be genetically engineered to prevent new seedlings from establishing. They discuss the findings from the largest aggregate study of genetically engineered trees in the world.
Additional Information:
Groundbreaking poplar study shows trees can be genetically engineered not to spread
The largest field-based study of genetically modified forest trees ever conducted has demonstrated that genetic engineering can prevent new seedlings from establishing. “There’s still more to know and more research to be done, but this looks really good,” said corresponding author Steve Strauss, distinguished professor of forest biotechnology at OSU. “It’s very exciting.”
Additional Information:
Gene editing could be the future of forestry
Steve Strauss is working with students, faculty and researchers on a new type of genetic technology known as gene editing, or CRISPR. It gives researchers the ability to specify precisely where a genetic change will be made—something that was essentially impossible before. Strauss says the technology is only a few years old and is an exciting step for biotechnology.
Additional Information: