|
|
|
|
|
Job opportunity
Holden Forests & Gardens
Director of the David G Leach Research Station
The David G Leach Research Station is a 30-acre facility that contains extensive
field and display collections of rhododendron and other plants established by
David G Leach, an internationally known breeder of rhododendron cultivars, and
operated by Holden since 1986.
|
|
|
The Director will establish an internationally recognized research program
in plant breeding with a primary focus especially in the area of genetics,
including but not limited to investigations into the pathology, entomology,
physiology, propagation and nutrition of rhododendrons and other ericaceous
plants. Primary responsibilities will include commercial introduction of
rhododendron cultivars, management of staff and infrastructure in support of
the Station, publication in scientific journals, presentations at scientific
meetings, write proposals for extramural funding, and potentially serve as
an academic advisor to graduate students at affiliated institutions. The
director may participate in the activities of an academic department,
including curriculum development and teaching a graduate-level course in
his/her field. In addition, the director will collaborate with appropriate
Holden programs such as education, horticulture and conservation. The
director is also expected to be a spokesperson to diverse public and
professional audiences regarding research and plant breeding activities.
More Information about Holden Forests & Gardens and the Research Department
can be found here
http://www.holdenarb.org/
Interested applicants
should have a PhD in biology, genetics, horticulture or related discipline,
reviewing applications will begin on August 15, 2018. Apply online at
https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=db704977-d8c5-4be2-a36a-23f4002eddc0&jobId=42940&lang=en_US&source=CC3&ccId=19000101_000001.
Questions? Contact Dr. David Burke, Chief Program Officer for Science,
Horticulture and Conservation (mailto:mtopa@holdenarb.org).
Holden Forests and Gardens is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
|
|
|
|
Rhodo-Research.net Resources
Search tool grants easy
access to valuable hybrid pedigrees
R-RN member Dr. Robert
Weissman has developed a useful on-line tool that enables hybrid pedigrees to be
searched for species or parents in a specified generation. This fabulous
resource can aid experimental design and increase the speed of discovery in
Rhododendron genetics.
|
|
|
|
The searchable plant database has 1150 different rhododendron hybrids, that
generally are available in the trade. The database includes rhododendrons
with a wide range of plant morphologies. The parentage information that the
search tool provides can be of great value in the design of research
experiments.
The hybrid pedigree search tool can be accessed at the Rhododendron Research
Network web site at:
http://www.rhodo-research.net/pedigree-search.htm.
Hybrid pedigree information has many useful research applications. Comparing
the phenotype of parents with that of offspring can be used to determine
which genes are responsible for a trait, and to discover the genetic
mechanisms of inheritance (e.g. transmission distortion, gene dominance and
dosage effects). Genome-wide association studies, which involve scanning
whole genomes for candidate genes, can also incorporate pedigrees, allowing
a more targeted approach to increase the speed of discovery.
Pedigrees themselves can be used as data. For example, pedigrees can be used
to build a recombination map, which reveals the relative influence of
genetic linkages versus independent assortment, and has important
consequences for inheritance. This information can also be used to discern
the location and order of genes on the chromosomes.
|
|
|
|
Student Research Highlight
by Yu liu
Case Western Reserve
University
|
|
|
|
Pictured (L-R):
Nick Schlosser, Alexis Balog,
Dr. Jean Burns, Evan Fritzke, and Yu liu |
|
|
Exploring the role of soil microbes in disease resistance to the devastating
pathogen root rot in Rhododendron
We are conducting a greenhouse
experiment funded by the American Rhododendron Society (ARS) at Holden
Arboretum. Our goal is to determine how the traits of genus
Rhododendron plants affect resistance to root rot disease —
Phytophthora cinnamomi. Moreover, we hope to determine whether soil
microbes can improve Rhododendron resistance to root rot. Our 3-year
project is led by Dr. Jean H. Burns from Case Western Reserve University and
Holden Scientist, Dr. Juliana S. Medeiros. With the help of Dr. Stephen L. Krebs
from David G. Leach Research Station, we pollinated Rhododendron
species and successfully collected the seeds from 14 species in the summer of
2017. We then planted those seeds in the Ellen Corning Long and T. Dixon Long
Center for Plant and Environmental Science greenhouse at Holden Arboretum. This
summer, we are joined by Evan Fritzke and Alexis Balog, undergraduates at Case
Western Reserve University, who are assisting us with transplanting plants,
collecting rhizosphere soil and administering the experimental treatments—for
example, the culture and inoculation of root rot. We are also being assisted by
Nick Schlosser, an undergraduate part-time volunteer from Ohio State University.
This ongoing project is a collaboration between Case Western Reserve University
and Holden Forests and Gardens, which utilizes the expertise and extensive
Rhododendron collection at Holden Arboretum.
|
|
|
|
Get Involved in our Growing Network
Explore the many ways that
our network can advance and inspire your research and collaborations on
Rhododendron
|
|
|
|
Submit Your Newsletter Items
This Newsletter of the R-RN will be published twice per year, in January and
July. We would love to have news of your job opportunities, grants, student
research highlights, collaborative projects, publications, or any
announcements related to Rhododendron research. Please send news items, at
least 4 weeks prior to publication, to: Juliana Medeiros,
jmedeiros@holdenarb.org
|
|
|
|
Learn more about the Rhododendron Research Network
A collaboration between the American Rhododendron Society and an
international group of Rhododendron researchers working to:
1. Promote Rhododendron as a study system in plant physiology, pathology,
ecology, evolutionary biology, plant breeding, genetics, horticultural
sciences, conservation biology, ethnobotany, and medicinal chemistry.
2. Promote the ARS and associated botanical gardens as a resource for
Rhododendron research and public engagement, and foster participation and
membership of scientists in the American Rhododendron Society.
3. Create opportunities for communication and collaboration within the
international community of Rhododendron researchers, and between scientists
and ARS members.
|
|
|
|
Network Governance
A steering committee has been formed to develop charter documents and lead
initiatives for Rhodo-Research.Net
|
|
|
2018 Committee Appointments
Juliana Medeiros - Co-chair and Web Resource Development
Erik Nilsen - Co-chair and Collaborative Experiments
Glen Jamieson - ARS Representative
Bob Weissman - Website Technical Infrastructure
Robbie Hart - Public Gardens Representative and Citizen Science Initiatives
Jean Burns - US Scientist Representative and Funding Initiatives
Valerie Soza - Conferences and Networking
If you are interested in serving on the R-RN Steering Committee or have
ideas about network governance, please contact one of the committee
co-chairs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
