@article{kurt_matallana-ramirez_kohlway_whetten_frampton_2020, title={A fast, flexible and inexpensive protocol for DNA and RNA extraction for forest trees}, volume={29}, ISSN={["2171-9845"]}, DOI={10.5424/fs/2020292-16730}, abstractNote={Aim of the study: DNA and RNA extraction are still one of the most important and challenging steps of many molecular genetics applications such as Next-Generation Sequencing technologies. In this study, traditional laboratory preparation protocols and commercially available nucleic acids extraction kits’ features were combined into a procedure suitable for extraction of either DNA or RNA in 96-well plate format at high throughput.Area of study: The study covers forest tree species from the United States of America.Materials and methods: The DNA and RNA protocol were tested on 27 species, including especially recalcitrant forest tree species, from five angiosperm and three gymnosperm families. DNA was also extracted from stored (from 2 to 6 years) silica-dried samples of 11 species of Pinaceae.Main results: The spectrophotometric analysis of DNA and RNA showed that gymnosperms yielded lower quantity, but higher quality nucleic acids than angiosperms which have variable results among species. The quantity and quality of DNA from stored samples were generally lower than fresh silica-dried samples. The RNA results showed high-enough yield (6.6 to 8.8 RIN) for downstream analyses.Research highlights: It was demonstrated that high quality and high molecular weight nucleic acids for Next-Generation Sequencing applications can be isolated from hundreds of samples from a wide range of taxonomic groups. The new protocol has features similar to both traditional laboratory and commercial extraction kits; is easy to set up in any molecular research laboratory, can be applied to a large number of samples (hundreds) in a working day, uses inexpensive reagents and supplies, and is compatible with automation.Key words: Angiosperms; gymnosperms; isolation protocol; nucleic acids.}, number={2}, journal={FOREST SYSTEMS}, author={Kurt, Yusuf and Matallana-Ramirez, Lilian and Kohlway, William and Whetten, Ross and Frampton, John}, year={2020} }
 @article{kurt_frampton_isik_landgren_chastagner_2016, title={Variation in needle and cone characteristics and seed germination ability of Abies bornmuelleriana and Abies equi-trojani populations from Turkey}, volume={40}, DOI={10.3906/tar-1502-101}, abstractNote={Turkish fir (Abies bornmuelleriana Mattf.) and Trojan fir (Abies equi-trojani (Aschers. Et Sint. Ex Boiss) Mattf.) are economically and ecologically important endemic species to Turkey. These species are also becoming increasingly popular in Europe and North America due to their suitable characteristics for use as Christmas trees coupled with their pest resistance. Provenance features, as well as needle and cone characteristics and seed germination ability, of three Turkish fir and two Trojan fir populations were studied. Provenance features (vigor score, crown score, and color) and mother tree characteristics (height class, diameter at breast height, and height) were very similar between species and among populations within species. Needles of Turkish fir were significantly (P < 0.05) longer and wider than those of Trojan fir. Turkish fir also had wider cones and a higher cone width/length ratio than Trojan fir. There were moderate, positive, and significant correlations between needle-cone characteristics and location variables (elevation, latitude, and longitude). Needle size tended to increase northwards, eastwards, and upwards along an altitudinal gradient. Cone width and the cone width/length ratio showed a weak trend of increasing northwards, while the cone width also showed a weak trend of increasing eastwards. Bract and cone length were not significantly correlated with any of the location variables. The overall mean cumulative germination percentage of Turkish fir seed (57%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of Trojan fir (36%). The natural genetic resources of both species should be conserved and managed sustainably to preserve the variation in their endemic locations because of their valuable benefits to Turkey and other countries.}, number={2}, journal={Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry}, author={Kurt, Y. and Frampton, J. and Isik, Fikret and Landgren, C. and Chastagner, G.}, year={2016}, pages={169–176} }