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Jim Mattsson is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Simon Fraser University, specializing in Plant Functional Genomics. His research focuses on identifying genotype genes that mitigate the effects of climate change on agricultural crops and forest tree species. One of his long-term goals is to increase the photosynthetic yield and drought tolerance of rice by developing varieties with C4 photosynthesis traits. He is investigating the genetic basis of vein formation to increase the number of veins in rice leaves, which is essential for C4 anatomy. He has screened hybrid poplar variants for drought resistance to identify suitable planting regions in the Canadian Prairies as drought and heat spells become more severe. Additionally, he collaborates with forest tree geneticists to utilize family screens and transcriptomics technologies to identify gene sets and natural genetic variants that improve drought tolerance in ponderosa pine and western redcedar. His work aims to develop marker-assisted selection strategies for trees to create rot-resistant heartwood, which is crucial given the long growth periods required for trees. He also screens individual yellow cedar trees to identify those with higher freezing tolerance, with the long-term goal of reforesting areas affected by climate warming. Dr. Mattsson has a strong commitment to addressing the challenges posed by climate change through innovative genetic research.
Department of Philosophy