Profile

Led the completion of the world's first fine whole-genome map of Eucommia ulmoides, with 14 certified improved tree varieties.

Story

Wuyun Tana is a professor, chief expert and doctoral supervisor at the Research Institute of Non-timber Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry (formerly the Non-timber Forestry Research and Development Center and the Eucommia Engineering Technology Research Center of the State Forestry Administration). She has long worked on breeding, high-efficiency cultivation and comprehensive utilization of Eucommia and other non-timber forest species. In 2014, the Eucommia whole-genome sequencing project she led as principal investigator produced the world's first fine whole-genome map of Eucommia, making Eucommia the first natural-rubber plant and the first woody medicinal plant to receive a fine genome map, laying the foundation for elucidating the biosynthesis mechanism of Eucommia rubber and for molecular breeding.

In breeding practice, she has been a core breeder of multiple improved varieties of the 'Huazhong' Eucommia series, certified through announcements by the State Forestry Administration. Her team's research indicates that genome-informed targeted improvement can significantly reduce Eucommia rubber production costs and increase yields. She also serves as one of the academic leaders in Eucommia research at the institute, promoting the upgrading of Eucommia from a traditional medicinal tree into a strategic multi-purpose resource tree for rubber, medicine, oil and feed.

Milestones

• On 26 November 2014, attended the Beijing press conference announcing completion of the fine whole-genome map of Eucommia and release of the Illustrated Flora of Eucommia in China, delivering the report as head of the sequencing project
• Serves as associate editor-in-chief of the Green Book of the Eucommia Industry and participates in the Eucommia topic of a major national conditions survey program
• Participated as a breeder in developing improved Eucommia varieties such as 'Huazhong 2', 'Huazhong 4' and 'Huazhong 10', with cultivar announcements published in Scientia Silvae Sinicae

Key Contributions

• Led the completion of the world's first fine whole-genome map of Eucommia ulmoides, also the first fine genome map of a natural-rubber plant and of a woody medicinal plant
• Certified 14 improved tree varieties, including 10 at the national level
• Published over 100 papers and 5 monographs
• Filed more than 10 national invention patents, of which 8 have been granted
• Established the first gene banks for kernel-apricot and almond, conserving over 1,200 germplasm accessions
• Selected as a leading scientific and technological innovation talent under the National Forestry and Grassland Science and Technology Innovation Talent Program