F
To develop techniques for the micropropagation of selected superior clones of Acacia mangium, A. mearnsii and Casuarina glauca and to establish techniques for efficient regeneration of whole plants from somatic cells.

F
To develop strategies for transformation using Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains and direct gene transfer techniques such as electroporation or high velocity microprojectiles. Programs of transformation for agronomically traits such as insect resistance will be initiated.

F
To identify constitutive or tissue-specific expression vectors for nitrogen-fixing trees by comparing the expression of a reporter gene (uidA gene) under the control of different promoters and regulatory sequences.

*
Micropropagation techniques will be optimized via axillary shoot formation and somatic embryos. Methods of whole plant regeneration which are suitable for genetic transformation will be identified, including various juvenile ex- plants (cotyledons, hypocotyls and epicotyls).

*
Genetic transformation of Acacia and Casuarina spp. will be investigated. Explants will be inoculated with a collection of disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains and the efficiency of the transformation will be determined using the GUS histochemical marker. Transfer procedure based on the introduction of DNA coated on high velocity microprojectiles will be attempted.

*
To study heterologous gene expression in trees, chimeric genes using various promoters will be introduced into Acacia and Casuarina and the level of expression of the different gene constructs will be determined using the GUS reporter gene system.