Charles G. Tauer

Professor

Forest Genetics
012 Ag Hall
(405) 744-5462
Fax: (405) 744-3530
Email: ctauer@okstate.edu

Education
Ph.D.:
University of Minnesota; 1976; Forestry/Plant Breeding
M.S.:
Univ. of Minnesota; 1973; Forestry/Genetics
B.S.:
Univ. of Minnesota; 1969; Forest Resources Development

Experience

1976-present Assistant, Associate and Professor of Forestry

6/00-11/00 Sabbatical: Research Scientist, Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta.

1/99-1/00 Professor and Interim Head, Department of Forestry, Oklahoma State University

7/88-6/89 Sabbatical: Plant Molecular Geneticist, USFS, Institute of Forest Genetics, Placerville, California. 100% research

7/71-7/76 Research Assistant, University of Minnesota, College of Forestry

9/73, 9/74, 9/75 Lecturer, University of Minnesota, College of Forestry

6/68-9/68 Forestry Aid, GS-4, United States Forest Service, Alsea Ranger District, Alsea, Oregon, 97324

Courses Taught
Dendrology (FOR 2134)

Forest Genetics And Tree Improvement (FOR 4773)

Research & Thesis (FOR 5000)

Research & Thesis (FOR 6000)

Advanced Forestry Problems (FOR 5030)

Forest Genetics (FOR 5753)

Research Activities
My research has the goal of utilizing molecular markers to address population genetic questions in Forestry, and to utilize plant gene transformation systems to further study gene regulation and expression in trees. These goals necessitate gene discovery, cloning and characterization. Historically, progress in forest genetics research has been slow compared to model plant systems. Such slow progress is due in large part to the ponderous size, years required to reach sexual maturity, and extended regeneration cycles in trees, as well as the many species and few scientists. However, past research has added considerably to our understanding of the biology and genetics of trees. The molecular tools now available allow us to address some problems previously beyond our reach, including better vegetative propagation methods, faster generation times, more effective selection methods, and a better understanding of the genomes being manipulated. This leads us to be involved in a number of seemingly disconnected research activities, but they all do focus toward our ultimate goals. Some of these research projects include: 1) population studies of gene flow, which will allow us to understand population structure, risk associated with release of transgenics, and should lead to gene discovery; 2) developing sterility in tree species to eliminate risk of release and enhance fiber yield; 3) using molecular markers to examine the effects of management methods on genetic diversity; and 4) using tomato as a model system to identify and manipulate drought associated genes.

Professional Activities
Memberships:
  • Walnut Council
  • Society of American Foresters (Tree Improvement Working Group)
  • Oklahoma Forestry Association
  • North American Quantitative Forest Genetics Group
  • American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • Int. Society for Plant Molecular Biology
  • Oklahoma Christmas Tree Association
  • Sigma Xi
  • Xi Sigma Pi

Registered Forester, Oklahoma

Departmental Activities
Committee on Undergraduate Education

Graduate education committee

Coordinator, Plant Science PhD Program

Faculty Advisor, Student Placement

Graduate Students
Shiqin Xu

Yanyan Liu

John Stewart

Publications (5 Most Recent)

Comstock, J.P., S.R. Couch, B.C. Martin, C.G. Tauer, T.J. Vision and R. Pausch. 2005. The effects of resource availability and environmental conditions on genetic rankings for carbon isotope discrimination during growth of tomato and rice. Functional Plant Biology 32:1089-1105.

Wu,Y., Y. Huang, C.G. Tauer, and D.L. Porter. 2005. Genetic diversity of sorghum accessions resistant to greenbugd as assessed with AFLP markers. Genome (in press).

Chen, J., C.G. Yauer and Y. Huang. 2003. Observations on mitochondrial DNA inheritance and variation among three Pinus species. Forest Genetics 10 : 271-276.

Chen, J., C.G. Tauer, G. Bai, Y. Huang, M.E. Payton, and A.G. Holley. 2004. Bidirectional introgression between Pinus taeda and Pinus echinata: Evidence from morphological and molecular data. Can J. For. Res. 34 : 2508-2516.

Chen, J., C.G. Tauer, and Y. Huang. 2002. Paternal chloroplast inheritance patterns in pine hybrids detected with trnL-trnF intergenic region polymorphism. Theor. Appl. Genet. 104:1307-1311.