Development of genetic markers for the identification of genera and species in composite wood products using Next Generation DNA-Barcoding

Genetic marker sets for the detection of tree genera and species which are often used in composite wood products will be developed  and validated.

Background and Objective

Wood composite products such as particle boards are often composed of wood from several tree species. The DNA of the contained wood can be highly degraded, and the DNA quantity from single species can be low. For these reasons, the detection of illegally logged wood using existing methods is very difficult in such products. In the next three years the Thünen Institute of Forest Genetics in collaboration with the German Timber Trade Federation (GD Holz e.V.) will develop new genetic markers and robust analytical methods that allow the detection of several genera and related species of deciduous trees and conifers especially in such wood composite products. The focus is on the differentiation of frequently used genera, such as pines, Douglas fir, and bangkirai, among others.

Approach

The main tasks of the project are:

1. Optimisation of protocols for DNA extraction from particle boards
2. Whole genome sequencing (genome skimming) of  relevant deciduous trees and conifers using „Next Generation Sequencing“, bioinformatic data analysis and detection of SNPs and InDels for potential differentiation on different taxonomic levels
3. Validation of potentially differentiating SNPs and InDels in an extended set of individuals
4. Development of genetic marker sets and validation using wood composite products
5. Application of the markers as audits in certified wood productis in colaboration with the FSC

Thünen-Contact

• Kersten, Birgit Institute of Forest Genetics

Involved Thünen-Partners

• Degen, Bernd Institute of Forest Genetics
• Schröder, Hilke Institute of Forest Genetics
• Stierand, Katrin Institute of Forest Genetics

Involved external Thünen-Partners

• Gesamtverband Deutscher Holzhandel e.V. (GD Holz)
  (Berlin, Deutschland)

Funding Body

• German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU)
  (national, öffentlich)

Duration

4.2018 - 3.2021

More Information

Projekt type:
Project status: ongoing