*********************************
There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
*********************************
Atlanta, GA | Posted: November 7, 2016
Kelly B. Smith, 404.894.6700
Summary Sentence:
Contributions in somatic embryogenesis recognized
Full Summary:
No summary paragraph submitted.
Gerald PullmanEmeritus Professor Gerald (Jerry) Pullman has been awarded a lifetime achievement award for outstanding contributions in somatic embryogenesis and other vegetative propagation technologies by the Fourth International Conference of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations focused on Somatic Embryogenesis and Other Vegetative Propagation Technologies.
Dr. Pullman, Emeritus Professor in the School of Biology and an RBI affiliated faculty member, was recognized for his “outstanding contributions and scientific endeavors in the vegetative propagation of trees, especially somatic embryogenesis in conifer species.”
Conference participants gathered to discuss “development and application of vegetative propagation technologies in plantation forestry to cope with a changing climate and environment.” The membership of the unit currently includes 742 scientists from 341 affiliations and 65 countries. The September meeting was hosted in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Dr. Pullman’s research interests for the past 35 years have been in the areas of multiplication of high-value trees through somatic embryogenesis, understanding the fundamental physical and chemical factors driving natural plant embryo development, creation of tissue culture systems necessary for the genetic engineering of forest trees and methods to propagate and conserve rare and endangered Southeastern plants. He has more than 120 publications with 55 focused in the field of somatic embryogenesis and additional publications on understanding seed conditions occurring during natural embryo development, vegetative propagation of forest trees, and conservation of endangered species through tissue culture and cryogenic storage.
As demands for forest products grow and the land base to produce trees shrinks, it will become necessary to produce trees that produce more wood and fiber per acre, with improved wood and fiber properties. Clonal propagation of trees with desired growth and processing characteristics will facilitate this goal.
He continues to lead a small tissue culture program at RBI focused on conifer somatic embryogenesis and conservation of rare and endangered species in the Southeast. The research on rare and endangered plants is in partnership with the Atlanta Botanical Garden and often works with School of Biology undergraduate students.
