{tab=Research} Hannele Tuominen leaning against a tree trunkFoto: Fredrik Larsson

Xylem elements mature in plant vascular tissues by depositing cellulose-rich secondary cell walls until they die through programmed cell death. Cell death therefore influences the duration of xylem cell differentiation and the lifetime of the cells. I have investigated the process of xylem cell death both in the water-transporting vessels and the physically-supporting fibres of the stem in Populus trees. The current aim is to identify factors that initiate and execute xylem cell death. One of the focus areas is the signalling and functional characterisation of the metacaspase gene family using reverse genetic, forward genetic and biochemical methods in both Arabidopsis thaliana and Populus.

We have earlier shown that cell death also influences lignification of xylem elements. Work done in the Zinnia elegans tracheary element differentiation system revealed that lignin biosynthesis continues even post mortem (after cell death). Further work in Arabidopsis xylem tissues showed that the post mortem lignification of xylem vessels is assisted by their long-living neighbour cells, the so called “good neighbours” of lignification. This sequence of events needs to be strictly controlled in time and place, and we have identified members of the PIRIN gene family that, from within the good neighbours, mediate at least partially the post mortem lignification of vessel elements. Strikingly, Arabidopsis PIRIN2 influences also chemical composition of lignin, and the current work focuses on the physiological significance of this finding.

The figure consists of four individual photos showing the plant model systems in Hannele Tuominen's research group: the left photo is a microscope picture of tracheary element cell cultures of Arabidopsis thaliana, on the second left photo, a cutting of a primary root of Arabidopsis thaliana enlarged with a microscope is seen, the second right photo shows a cutting of a hybrid aspen stem and the right photo a stem cutting of aspen.

We are very much interested in how xylem maturation influences the chemical and mechanical properties and the functioning of the wood. A long-standing question has been whether it would be possible to enhance biomass production in woody tissues by extending the lifetime of the individual xylem elements. Another burning question is how xylem maturation influences responses to environmental factors such as nutrient abundance and drought. We have taken two different approaches to investigate the relationship between xylem maturation and properties of wood. The first approach aims to modify xylem maturation by transgenic technology in hybrid aspen (Populus tremula X P. tremuloides) trees using cell-specific promoters and the newest DNA editing technologies, followed by careful characterisation of the transgenic trees for growth, wood chemical and physical properties, water transport capacity and drought resistance. The second approach takes advantage of the natural variation within a Swedish aspen (Populus tremula) population with the aim to identify natural variation in the secondary cell wall and wood properties as well as in tree responses to environmental effectors, followed by elucidation of the underlying molecular mechanisms by genome-wide association mapping.

{tab=Team}
  • Personnel Image
    Chantreau, Maxime
    PostDoc
    E-mail
    Room: B3-26-50
  • Personnel Image
    Choudhary, Shruti
    PostDoc
    E-mail
    Room: B6-50-51
  • Personnel Image
    Mandal, Manoj Kumar
    Staff scientist
    E-mail
    Room: B6-44-45
  • Personnel Image
    Miskolczi, Pal
    Staff scientist
    E-mail
    Room: B6-38-45
  • Personnel Image
    Pandey, Shashank Kumar
    PostDoc
    E-mail
    Room: B5-50-45
    Website
  • Personnel Image
    Renström, Anna
    PhD Student
    E-mail
    Room: B5-42-45
  • Personnel Image
    Tuominen, Hannele
    Professor
    E-mail
    Room: B6-46-45
    Website
  • Personnel Image
    Zhang, Yupeng
    PostDoc
    E-mail
    Room: B6-44-45

{tab=CV H. Tuominen}

Education and academic degrees

  • 2006: Docent, Plant developmental biology, University of Helsinki, Finland
  • 1997: PhD, Forest Plant Physiology, The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå
  • 1991: MSc, The University of Oulu, Finland

Employments

  • Since 2020: Professor, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
  • 2008-2019: Associate professor, Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University
  • 2005-2007: Assisting lecturer, Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University
  • 2001-2005: Assistant professor, Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University
  • 1997-2001: Post doc, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Finland

Special Awards and Honours

  • 2008: Young Researcher Award (2 million SEK for research), Umeå university
  • 2010-2014: Director of the Strong Research Environment BioImprove
{tab=Publications}
  2024 (3)
Systems genetic analysis of lignin biosynthesis in Populus tremula. Luomaranta, M., Grones, C., Choudhary, S., Milhinhos, A., Kalman, T. A., Nilsson, O., Robinson, K. M., Street, N. R., & Tuominen, H. New Phytologist, 243(6): 2157–2174. September 2024.
Systems genetic analysis of lignin biosynthesis in <i>Populus tremula</i> [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract  
The effect of nitrogen source and levels on hybrid aspen tree physiology and wood formation. Renström, A., Choudhary, S., Gandla, M. L., Jönsson, L. J., Hedenström, M., Jämtgård, S., & Tuominen, H. Physiologia Plantarum, 176(1): e14219. February 2024. _eprint: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/ppl.14219
The effect of nitrogen source and levels on hybrid aspen tree physiology and wood formation [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract  
Weight-induced radial growth in plant stems depends on PIN3. Carrió-Seguí, À., Brunot-Garau, P., Úrbez, C., Miskolczi, P., Vera-Sirera, F., Tuominen, H., & Agustí, J. Current Biology, 34(18): 4285–4293.e3. September 2024.
Weight-induced radial growth in plant stems depends on PIN3 [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract  
  2023 (4)
A phloem-localized Arabidopsis metacaspase (AtMC3) improves drought tolerance. Pitsili, E., Rodriguez-Trevino, R., Ruiz-Solani, N., Demir, F., Kastanaki, E., Dambire, C., de Pedro-Jové, R., Vercammen, D., Salguero-Linares, J., Hall, H., Mantz, M., Schuler, M., Tuominen, H., Van Breusegem, F., Valls, M., Munné-Bosch, S., Holdsworth, M. J., Huesgen, P. F., Rodriguez-Villalon, A., & Coll, N. S. New Phytologist, 239(4): 1281–1299. 2023. _eprint: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/nph.19022
A phloem-localized Arabidopsis metacaspase (AtMC3) improves drought tolerance [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract  
Genetic markers and tree properties predicting wood biorefining potential in aspen (Populus tremula) bioenergy feedstock. Escamez, S., Robinson, K. M., Luomaranta, M., Gandla, M. L., Mähler, N., Yassin, Z., Grahn, T., Scheepers, G., Stener, L., Jansson, S., Jönsson, L. J., Street, N. R., & Tuominen, H. Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts, 16(1): 65. April 2023.
Genetic markers and tree properties predicting wood biorefining potential in aspen (Populus tremula) bioenergy feedstock [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract  
Histochemical Detection of Peroxidase and Laccase Activities in Populus Secondary Xylem. Alonso, M. P., Carrió-Seguí, À., & Tuominen, H. In Agusti, J., editor(s), Xylem: Methods and Protocols, of Methods in Molecular Biology, pages 139–148. Springer US, New York, NY, November 2023.
Histochemical Detection of Peroxidase and Laccase Activities in Populus Secondary Xylem [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract  
Poplar wood - inside out: High-resolution spatial, cellular, and pseudotime projections from cambial transcriptomes. Choudhary, S., & Tuominen, H. Molecular Plant, 16(10): 1490–1492. October 2023.
Poplar wood - inside out: High-resolution spatial, cellular, and pseudotime projections from cambial transcriptomes [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex  
  2022 (3)
Genetic architecture behind developmental and seasonal control of tree growth and wood properties in Norway spruce. Chen, Z., Zan, Y., Zhou, L., Karlsson, B., Tuominen, H., García-Gil, M. R., & Wu, H. X. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13. August 2022.
Genetic architecture behind developmental and seasonal control of tree growth and wood properties in Norway spruce [link]Paper   link   bibtex   abstract  
Regulation of PaRBOH1-mediated ROS production in Norway spruce by Ca2+ binding and phosphorylation. Nickolov, K., Gauthier, A., Hashimoto, K., Laitinen, T., Väisänen, E., Paasela, T., Soliymani, R., Kurusu, T., Himanen, K., Blokhina, O., Fagerstedt, K. V., Jokipii-Lukkari, S., Tuominen, H., Häggman, H., Wingsle, G., Teeri, T. H., Kuchitsu, K., & Kärkönen, A. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13. October 2022.
Regulation of PaRBOH1-mediated ROS production in Norway spruce by Ca2+ binding and phosphorylation [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract  
Spatio-temporal regulation of lignification. Chantreau, M., & Tuominen, H. In Advances in Botanical Research. Academic Press, April 2022.
Spatio-temporal regulation of lignification [link]Paper   link   bibtex   abstract  
  2021 (3)
Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging as an In Situ and Label-Free Readout for the Chemical Composition of Lignin. Escamez, S., Terryn, C., Gandla, M. L., Yassin, Z., Scheepers, G., Näsholm, T., Sundman, O., Jönsson, L. J., Lundberg-Felten, J., Tuominen, H., Niittylä, T., & Paës, G. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 9(51): 17381–17392. December 2021.
Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging as an In Situ and Label-Free Readout for the Chemical Composition of Lignin [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract   10 downloads  
Overexpression of vesicle-associated membrane protein PttVAP27-17 as a tool to improve biomass production and the overall saccharification yields in Populus trees. Gandla, M. L., Mähler, N., Escamez, S., Skotare, T., Obudulu, O., Möller, L., Abreu, I. N., Bygdell, J., Hertzberg, M., Hvidsten, T. R., Moritz, T., Wingsle, G., Trygg, J., Tuominen, H., & Jönsson, L. J. Biotechnology for Biofuels, 14(1): 43. December 2021.
Overexpression of vesicle-associated membrane protein PttVAP27-17 as a tool to improve biomass production and the overall saccharification yields in Populus trees [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract   6 downloads  
PopulusPtERF85 Balances Xylem Cell Expansion and Secondary Cell Wall Formation in Hybrid Aspen. Seyfferth, C., Wessels, B. A., Vahala, J., Kangasjärvi, J., Delhomme, N., Hvidsten, T. R., Tuominen, H., & Lundberg-Felten, J. Cells, 10(8): 1971. August 2021.
PopulusPtERF85 Balances Xylem Cell Expansion and Secondary Cell Wall Formation in Hybrid Aspen [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract   14 downloads  
  2020 (6)
ACAULIS5 Is Required for Cytokinin Accumulation and Function During Secondary Growth of Populus Trees. Milhinhos, A., Bollhöner, B., Blazquez, M. A., Novák, O., Miguel, C. M., & Tuominen, H. Frontiers in Plant Science, 11: 601858. November 2020.
ACAULIS5 Is Required for Cytokinin Accumulation and Function During Secondary Growth of Populus Trees [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   3 downloads  
Cell Death in Cells Overlying Lateral Root Primordia Facilitates Organ Growth in Arabidopsis. Escamez, S., André, D., Sztojka, B., Bollhöner, B., Hall, H., Berthet, B., Voß, U., Lers, A., Maizel, A., Andersson, M., Bennett, M., & Tuominen, H. Current Biology, 30(3): 455–464.e7. February 2020.
Cell Death in Cells Overlying Lateral Root Primordia Facilitates Organ Growth in Arabidopsis [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   3 downloads  
Classification and Nomenclature of Metacaspases and Paracaspases: No More Confusion with Caspases. Minina, E. A., Staal, J., Alvarez, V. E., Berges, J. A., Berman-Frank, I., Beyaert, R., Bidle, K. D., Bornancin, F., Casanova, M., Cazzulo, J. J., Choi, C. J., Coll, N. S., Dixit, V. M., Dolinar, M., Fasel, N., Funk, C., Gallois, P., Gevaert, K., Gutierrez-Beltran, E., Hailfinger, S., Klemenčič, M., Koonin, E. V., Krappmann, D., Linusson, A., Machado, M. F., Madeo, F., Megeney, L. A., Moschou, P. N., Mottram, J. C., Nyström, T., Osiewacz, H. D., Overall, C. M., Pandey, K. C., Ruland, J., Salvesen, G. S., Shi, Y., Smertenko, A., Stael, S., Ståhlberg, J., Suárez, M. F., Thome, M., Tuominen, H., Van Breusegem, F., van der Hoorn, R. A., Vardi, A., Zhivotovsky, B., Lam, E., & Bozhkov, P. V. Molecular Cell, 77(5): 927–929. March 2020.
Classification and Nomenclature of Metacaspases and Paracaspases: No More Confusion with Caspases [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex  
ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR 115 integrates jasmonate and cytokinin signaling machineries to repress adventitious rooting in Arabidopsis. Lakehal, A., Dob, A., Rahneshan, Z., Novák, O., Escamez, S., Alallaq, S., Strnad, M., Tuominen, H., & Bellini, C. New Phytologist, 228(5): 1611–1626. 2020.
ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR 115 integrates jasmonate and cytokinin signaling machineries to repress adventitious rooting in Arabidopsis [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract   4 downloads  
PIRIN2 suppresses S‐type lignin accumulation in a noncell‐autonomous manner in Arabidopsis xylem elements. Zhang, B., Sztojka, B., Escamez, S., Vanholme, R., Hedenström, M., Wang, Y., Turumtay, H., Gorzsás, A., Boerjan, W., & Tuominen, H. New Phytologist, 225(5): 1923–1935. March 2020.
PIRIN2 suppresses S‐type lignin accumulation in a noncell‐autonomous manner in Arabidopsis xylem elements [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   5 downloads  
The chromatin-modifying protein HUB2 is involved in the regulation of lignin composition in xylem vessels. Zhang, B., Sztojka, B., Seyfferth, C., Escamez, S., Miskolczi, P., Chantreau, M., Bakó, L., Delhomme, N., Gorzsás, A., Bhalerao, R. P., & Tuominen, H. Journal of Experimental Botany, 71(18): 5484–5494. September 2020.
The chromatin-modifying protein HUB2 is involved in the regulation of lignin composition in xylem vessels [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract   5 downloads  
  2019 (4)
An AP2/ERF transcription factor ERF139 coordinates xylem cell expansion and secondary cell wall deposition. Wessels, B., Seyfferth, C., Escamez, S., Vain, T., Antos, K., Vahala, J., Delhomme, N., Kangasjärvi, J., Eder, M., Felten, J., & Tuominen, H. New Phytologist, 224(4): 1585–1599. December 2019.
An AP2/ERF transcription factor ERF139 coordinates xylem cell expansion and secondary cell wall deposition [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   3 downloads  
Ethylene Signaling Is Required for Fully Functional Tension Wood in Hybrid Aspen. Seyfferth, C., Wessels, B. A., Gorzsás, A., Love, J. W., Rüggeberg, M., Delhomme, N., Vain, T., Antos, K., Tuominen, H., Sundberg, B., & Felten, J. Frontiers in Plant Science, 10: 1101. September 2019.
Ethylene Signaling Is Required for Fully Functional Tension Wood in Hybrid Aspen [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   4 downloads  
Extracellular peptide Kratos restricts cell death during vascular development and stress in Arabidopsis. Escamez, S., Stael, S., Vainonen, J. P, Willems, P., Jin, H., Kimura, S., Van Breusegem, F., Gevaert, K., Wrzaczek, M., & Tuominen, H. Journal of Experimental Botany, 70(7): 2199–2210. April 2019.
Extracellular peptide Kratos restricts cell death during vascular development and stress in Arabidopsis [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex  
High Spatial Resolution Profiling in Tree Species. Giacomello, S., Delhomme, N., Niittylä, T., Tuominen, H., & Street, N. R. In Annual Plant Reviews online, pages 329–360. American Cancer Society, 2019. _eprint: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/9781119312994.apr0688
High Spatial Resolution Profiling in Tree Species [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract   1 download  
  2018 (4)
A multi-omics approach reveals function of Secretory Carrier-Associated Membrane Proteins in wood formation of​ ​​Populus​​ ​trees. Obudulu, O., Mähler, N., Skotare, T., Bygdell, J., Abreu, I. N., Ahnlund, M., Latha Gandla, M., Petterle, A., Moritz, T., Hvidsten, T. R., Jönsson, L. J., Wingsle, G., Trygg, J., & Tuominen, H. BMC Genomics, 19(1): 11. December 2018.
A multi-omics approach reveals function of Secretory Carrier-Associated Membrane Proteins in wood formation of​ ​​Populus​​ ​trees [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   1 download  
Ethylene-Related Gene Expression Networks in Wood Formation. Seyfferth, C., Wessels, B., Jokipii-Lukkari, S., Sundberg, B., Delhomme, N., Felten, J., & Tuominen, H. Frontiers in Plant Science, 9: 272. March 2018.
Ethylene-Related Gene Expression Networks in Wood Formation [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   4 downloads  
The function of two type II metacaspases in woody tissues of Populus trees. Bollhöner, B., Jokipii-Lukkari, S., Bygdell, J., Stael, S., Adriasola, M., Muñiz, L., Van Breusegem, F., Ezcurra, I., Wingsle, G., & Tuominen, H. New Phytologist, 217(4): 1551–1565. March 2018.
The function of two type II metacaspases in woody tissues of <i>Populus</i> trees [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex  
Transcriptional Roadmap to Seasonal Variation in Wood Formation of Norway Spruce. Jokipii-Lukkari, S., Delhomme, N., Schiffthaler, B., Mannapperuma, C., Prestele, J., Nilsson, O., Street, N. R., & Tuominen, H. Plant Physiology, 176(4): 2851–2870. April 2018.
Transcriptional Roadmap to Seasonal Variation in Wood Formation of Norway Spruce [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   2 downloads  
  2017 (5)
A collection of genetically engineered Populus trees reveals wood biomass traits that predict glucose yield from enzymatic hydrolysis. Escamez, S., Latha Gandla, M., Derba-Maceluch, M., Lundqvist, S., Mellerowicz, E. J., Jönsson, L. J., & Tuominen, H. Scientific Reports, 7(1): 15798. December 2017.
A collection of genetically engineered Populus trees reveals wood biomass traits that predict glucose yield from enzymatic hydrolysis [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   1 download  
AspWood: High-Spatial-Resolution Transcriptome Profiles Reveal Uncharacterized Modularity of Wood Formation in Populus tremula. Sundell, D., Street, N. R., Kumar, M., Mellerowicz, E. J., Kucukoglu, M., Johnsson, C., Kumar, V., Mannapperuma, C., Delhomme, N., Nilsson, O., Tuominen, H., Pesquet, E., Fischer, U., Niittylä, T., Sundberg, B., & Hvidsten, T. R. The Plant Cell, 29(7): 1585–1604. July 2017.
AspWood: High-Spatial-Resolution Transcriptome Profiles Reveal Uncharacterized Modularity of Wood Formation in Populus tremula [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex  
Contribution of cellular autolysis to tissular functions during plant development. Escamez, S., & Tuominen, H. Current Opinion in Plant Biology, 35: 124–130. February 2017.
Contribution of cellular autolysis to tissular functions during plant development [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex  
NorWood: a gene expression resource for evo‐devo studies of conifer wood development. Jokipii‐Lukkari, S., Sundell, D., Nilsson, O., Hvidsten, T. R., Street, N. R., & Tuominen, H. New Phytologist, 216(2): 482–494. October 2017.
NorWood: a gene expression resource for evo‐devo studies of conifer wood development [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex  
Quick Histochemical Staining Methods to Detect Cell Death in Xylem Elements of Plant Tissues. Escamez, S., Bollhöner, B., & Tuominen, H. In de Lucas, M., & Etchhells, J. P., editor(s), Xylem, volume 1544, pages 27–36. Springer New York, New York, NY, 2017. Series Title: Methods in Molecular Biology
Quick Histochemical Staining Methods to Detect Cell Death in Xylem Elements of Plant Tissues [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex  
  2016 (1)
METACASPASE9 modulates autophagy to confine cell death to the target cells during Arabidopsis vascular xylem differentiation. Escamez, S., André, D., Zhang, B., Bollhöner, B., Pesquet, E., & Tuominen, H. Biology Open, 5(2): 122–129. February 2016.
METACASPASE9 modulates autophagy to confine cell death to the target cells during <i>Arabidopsis</i> vascular xylem differentiation [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract   2 downloads  
  2015 (4)
A bHLH-Based Feedback Loop Restricts Vascular Cell Proliferation in Plants. Vera-Sirera, F., De Rybel, B., Urbez, C., Kouklas, E., Pesquera, M., Alvarez-Mahecha, J. C., Minguet, E. G., Tuominen, H., Carbonell, J., Borst, J. W., Weijers, D., & Blazquez, M. A. Dev Cell, 35(4): 432–43. November 2015.
A bHLH-Based Feedback Loop Restricts Vascular Cell Proliferation in Plants [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract  
Cooperative lignification of xylem tracheary elements. Serk, H., Gorzsas, A., Tuominen, H., & Pesquet, E. Plant Signal Behav, 10(4): e1003753. 2015. Edition: 2015/03/12
Cooperative lignification of xylem tracheary elements [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract  
GRIM REAPER peptide binds to receptor kinase PRK5 to trigger cell death in Arabidopsis. Wrzaczek, M., Vainonen, J. P, Stael, S., Tsiatsiani, L., Help-Rinta-Rahko, H., Gauthier, A., Kaufholdt, D., Bollhöner, B., Lamminmäki, A., Staes, A., Gevaert, K., Tuominen, H., Van Breusegem, F., Helariutta, Y., & Kangasjärvi, J. The EMBO Journal, 34(1): 55–66. January 2015. Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
GRIM REAPER peptide binds to receptor kinase PRK5 to trigger cell death in Arabidopsis [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract  
Life Beyond Death: The Formation of Xylem Sap Conduits. Ménard, D., Escamez, S., Tuominen, H., & Pesquet, E. In Gunawardena, A. N., & McCabe, P. F., editor(s), Plant Programmed Cell Death, pages 55–76. Springer International Publishing, Cham, 2015.
link   bibtex  
  2014 (2)
PIRIN2 stabilizes cysteine protease XCP2 and increases susceptibility to the vascular pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum in Arabidopsis. Zhang, B., Tremousaygue, D., Denancé, N., Esse, H. P. v., Hörger, A. C., Dabos, P., Goffner, D., Thomma, B. P. H. J., Hoorn, R. A. L. v. d., & Tuominen, H. The Plant Journal, 79(6): 1009–1019. 2014. _eprint: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/tpj.12602
PIRIN2 stabilizes cysteine protease XCP2 and increases susceptibility to the vascular pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum in Arabidopsis [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract  
Programmes of cell death and autolysis in tracheary elements: when a suicidal cell arranges its own corpse removal. Escamez, S., & Tuominen, H. Journal of Experimental Botany, 65(5): 1313–1321. March 2014.
Programmes of cell death and autolysis in tracheary elements: when a suicidal cell arranges its own corpse removal [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex  
  2013 (4)
Non-Cell-Autonomous Postmortem Lignification of Tracheary Elements in Zinnia elegans. Pesquet, E., Zhang, B., Gorzsás, A., Puhakainen, T., Serk, H., Escamez, S., Barbier, O., Gerber, L., Courtois-Moreau, C., Alatalo, E., Paulin, L., Kangasjärvi, J., Sundberg, B., Goffner, D., & Tuominen, H. The Plant Cell, 25(4): 1314–1328. May 2013.
Non-Cell-Autonomous Postmortem Lignification of Tracheary Elements in <i>Zinnia elegans</i> [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract   1 download  
Post mortem function of AtMC9 in xylem vessel elements. Bollhöner, B., Zhang, B., Stael, S., Denancé, N., Overmyer, K., Goffner, D., Breusegem, F. V., & Tuominen, H. New Phytologist, 200(2): 498–510. 2013. _eprint: https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/nph.12387
Post mortem function of AtMC9 in xylem vessel elements [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract  
The Norway spruce genome sequence and conifer genome evolution. Nystedt, B., Street, N. R., Wetterbom, A., Zuccolo, A., Lin, Y., Scofield, D. G., Vezzi, F., Delhomme, N., Giacomello, S., Alexeyenko, A., Vicedomini, R., Sahlin, K., Sherwood, E., Elfstrand, M., Gramzow, L., Holmberg, K., Hällman, J., Keech, O., Klasson, L., Koriabine, M., Kucukoglu, M., Käller, M., Luthman, J., Lysholm, F., Niittylä, T., Olson, Å., Rilakovic, N., Ritland, C., Rosselló, J. A., Sena, J., Svensson, T., Talavera-López, C., Theißen, G., Tuominen, H., Vanneste, K., Wu, Z., Zhang, B., Zerbe, P., Arvestad, L., Bhalerao, R. P., Bohlmann, J., Bousquet, J., Garcia Gil, R., Hvidsten, T. R., de Jong, P., MacKay, J., Morgante, M., Ritland, K., Sundberg, B., Lee Thompson, S., Van de Peer, Y., Andersson, B., Nilsson, O., Ingvarsson, P. K., Lundeberg, J., & Jansson, S. Nature, 497(7451): 579–584. May 2013.
The Norway spruce genome sequence and conifer genome evolution [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   1 download  
Thermospermine levels are controlled by an auxin-dependent feedback loop mechanism in Populus xylem. Milhinhos, A., Prestele, J., Bollhöner, B., Matos, A., Vera-Sirera, F., Rambla, J. L., Ljung, K., Carbonell, J., Blázquez, M. A., Tuominen, H., & Miguel, C. M. The Plant Journal, 75(4): 685–698. August 2013.
Thermospermine levels are controlled by an auxin-dependent feedback loop mechanism in <i>Populus</i> xylem [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex  
  2012 (1)
Xylem cell death: emerging understanding of regulation and function. Bollhoner, B., Prestele, J., & Tuominen, H. Journal of Experimental Botany, 63(3): 1081–1094. February 2012.
Xylem cell death: emerging understanding of regulation and function [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex  
  2011 (1)
Ethylene stimulates tracheary element differentiation in Zinnia elegans cell cultures. Pesquet, E., & Tuominen, H. New Phytologist, 190(1): 138–149. April 2011.
Ethylene stimulates tracheary element differentiation in <i>Zinnia elegans</i> cell cultures [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex  
  2010 (1)
Role of polyamines in plant vascular development. Vera-Sirera, F., Minguet, E. G., Singh, S. K., Ljung, K., Tuominen, H., Blázquez, M. A., & Carbonell, J. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 48(7): 534–539. July 2010.
Role of polyamines in plant vascular development [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   1 download  
  2009 (2)
A unique program for cell death in xylem fibers of Populus stem. Courtois-Moreau, C. L., Pesquet, E., Sjödin, A., Muñiz, L., Bollhöner, B., Kaneda, M., Samuels, L., Jansson, S., & Tuominen, H. The Plant Journal, 58(2): 260–274. April 2009.
A unique program for cell death in xylem fibers of <i>Populus</i> stem [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex  
The Control of Autumn Senescence in European Aspen. Fracheboud, Y., Luquez, V., Björkén, L., Sjödin, A., Tuominen, H., & Jansson, S. Plant Physiology, 149(4): 1982–1991. April 2009.
The Control of Autumn Senescence in European Aspen [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract   6 downloads  
  2008 (2)
ACAULIS5 controls Arabidopsis xylem specification through the prevention of premature cell death. Muñiz, L., Minguet, E. G., Singh, S. K., Pesquet, E., Vera-Sirera, F., Moreau-Courtois, C. L., Carbonell, J., Blázquez, M. A., & Tuominen, H. Development, 135(15): 2573–2582. August 2008.
ACAULIS5 controls <i>Arabidopsis</i> xylem specification through the prevention of premature cell death [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract  
Complex phenotypic profiles leading to ozone sensitivity in Arabidopsis thaliana mutants. Overmyer, K., Kollist, H., Tuominen, H., Betz, C., Langebartels, C., Wingsle, G., Kangasjärvi, S., Brader, G., Mullineaux, P., & Kangasjärvi, J. Plant, Cell & Environment, 31(9): 1237–1249. September 2008.
Complex phenotypic profiles leading to ozone sensitivity in <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> mutants [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex  
  2007 (1)
The different fates of mitochondria and chloroplasts during dark-induced senescence in Arabidopsis leaves. Keech, O., Pesquet, E., Ahad, A., Askne, A., Nordvall, D., Vodnala, S. M., Tuominen, H., Hurry, V., Dizengremel, P., & Gardeström, P. Plant, Cell & Environment, 30(12): 1523–1534. December 2007.
The different fates of mitochondria and chloroplasts during dark-induced senescence in Arabidopsis leaves [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex  
  2006 (1)
Transitions in the functioning of the shoot apical meristem in birch (Betula pendula) involve ethylene. Ruonala, R., Rinne, P. L. H., Baghour, M., Moritz, T., Tuominen, H., & Kangasjarvi, J. Plant Journal, 46(4): 628–640. May 2006. Place: Hoboken Publisher: Wiley WOS:000237098000008
doi   link   bibtex   abstract  
  2005 (2)
A genomic approach to investigate developmental cell death in woody tissues of Populus trees. Moreau, C., Aksenov, N., Lorenzo, M. G., Segerman, B., Funk, C., Nilsson, P., Jansson, S., & Tuominen, H. Genome Biology, 6(4): R34. 2005. Place: London Publisher: Bmc WOS:000228436000011
doi   link   bibtex   abstract  
Ozone-Induced Programmed Cell Death in the Arabidopsis radical-induced cell death1 Mutant. Overmyer, K., Brosché, M., Pellinen, R., Kuittinen, T., Tuominen, H., Ahlfors, R., Keinänen, M., Saarma, M., Scheel, D., & Kangasjärvi, J. Plant Physiology, 137(3): 1092–1104. March 2005.
Ozone-Induced Programmed Cell Death in the Arabidopsis radical-induced cell death1 Mutant [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract  
  2004 (2)
Arabidopsis RADICAL-INDUCED CELL DEATH1 Belongs to the WWE Protein–Protein Interaction Domain Protein Family and Modulates Abscisic Acid, Ethylene, and Methyl Jasmonate Responses. Ahlfors, R., Lång, S., Overmyer, K., Jaspers, P., Broscheé, M., Tauriainen, A., Kollist, H., Tuominen, H., Belles-Boix, E., Piippo, M., Inzeé, D., Palva, E. T., & Kangasjärvi, J. The Plant Cell, 16(7): 1925–1937. July 2004. Publisher: Oxford Academic
Arabidopsis RADICAL-INDUCED CELL DEATH1 Belongs to the WWE Protein–Protein Interaction Domain Protein Family and Modulates Abscisic Acid, Ethylene, and Methyl Jasmonate Responses [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract  
Mutual antagonism of ethylene and jasmonic acid regulates ozone-induced spreading cell death in Arabidopsis. Tuominen, H., Overmyer, K., Keinänen, M., Kollist, H., & Kangasjärvi, J. The Plant Journal, 39(1): 59–69. 2004. _eprint: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1365-313X.2004.02107.x
Mutual antagonism of ethylene and jasmonic acid regulates ozone-induced spreading cell death in Arabidopsis [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract  
  2003 (1)
Hormonal interactions and ROS-dependent cell death. Ahlfors, R., Keinanen, M., Kollist, H., Kuusela, T., Lang, S., Overmyer, K., Pulkkinen, P., Tuominen, H., & Kangasjarvi, J. Free Radical Research, 37: 6–7. 2003. Place: Abingdon Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd WOS:000185828100016
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  2000 (2)
Cambial-Region-Specific Expression of the Agrobacterium iaa Genes in Transgenic Aspen Visualized by a Linked uidA Reporter Gene. Tuominen, H., Puech, L., Regan, S., Fink, S., Olsson, O., & Sundberg, B. Plant Physiology, 123(2): 531–542. June 2000.
Cambial-Region-Specific Expression of the Agrobacterium iaa Genes in Transgenic Aspen Visualized by a Linked uidA Reporter Gene [link]Paper   link   bibtex   abstract  
Ozone-Sensitive Arabidopsis rcd1 Mutant Reveals Opposite Roles for Ethylene and Jasmonate Signaling Pathways in Regulating Superoxide-Dependent Cell Death. Overmyer, K., Tuominen, H., Kettunen, R., Betz, C., Langebartels, C., Sandermann, H., Jr, & Kangasjärvi, J. The Plant Cell, 12(10): 1849. October 2000. Publisher: Oxford University Press
Ozone-Sensitive Arabidopsis rcd1 Mutant Reveals Opposite Roles for Ethylene and Jasmonate Signaling Pathways in Regulating Superoxide-Dependent Cell Death [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract  
  1999 (1)
Accurate and high resolution in situ hybridization analysis of gene expression in secondary stem tissues. Regan, S., Bourquin, V., Tuominen, H., & Sundberg, B. The Plant Journal, 19(3): 363–369. 1999. _eprint: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1046/j.1365-313X.1999.00536.x
Accurate and high resolution in situ hybridization analysis of gene expression in secondary stem tissues [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract  
  1997 (1)
The Agrobacterium rhizogenes rolB and rolC promoters are expressed in pericycle cells competent to serve as root initials in transgenic hybrid aspen. Nilsson, O., Tuominen, H., Sundberg, B., & Olsson, O. Physiologia Plantarum, 100(3): 456–462. 1997. _eprint: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1399-3054.1997.tb03049.x
The Agrobacterium rhizogenes rolB and rolC promoters are expressed in pericycle cells competent to serve as root initials in transgenic hybrid aspen [link]Paper   doi   link   bibtex   abstract  
{tab=Svenska} Hannele Tuominen som lutar sig mot en trädstam. Photo: Fredrik Larsson

Vem skulle inte vilja ha ett långt liv? Majoriteten av de xylemceller, såsom kärl och fibrer, som bildar träet verkar inte göra det. Dessa celler utvecklas och dör snabbt för att tjäna den växande stammen i vattentransport och fysiskt stöd. Jag har i min forskning identifierat fysiologiska och molekylära faktorer som reglerar xylemcellernas snabba död. För mig som växtfysiolog är tidpunkten för celldöd en viktig process att studera eftersom den avslutar biosyntes av cellulosa. Följaktligen ter det sig att xylemcellernas livslängd påverkar mängden biomassa i varje cell och i slutändan också i hela trädet.

Ett annat fenomen jag har varit intresserad av är hur xylemceller producerar den styva, vattentäta polymeren som kallas lignin för att förstärka sina cellväggar. Intressant nog fortsätter lignifieringen av xylemcellväggar efter cellernas död. Jag har bidragit till upptäckten att lignifieringen av de snabbt döende xylemkärlscellerna fullbordas av deras närliggande celler som har en lång livslängd. Min forskargrupp har visat att de närliggande cellerna också deltar i att kontrollera kärlcellernas ligninsammansättning, vilket är viktigt för deras optimala funktion vid vattentransport.

Min forskning är beroende av flera typer av teknologier, inklusive mikroskopi, transkriptomik, proteomik, genomik och genetik, som alla utvecklas snabbt. Flera av dessa strävar mot ökad rumslig upplösning. Mitt nuvarande mål är att analysera genuttryck med transkriptomik i en enda xylemcell, och koppla det till det fysiologiska svaret hos densamma. Ett annat exempel på teknikutveckling är CRISPR Cas9 tekniken som möjliggör mycket exakt genetisk modifiering. Vi använder CRISPR Cas9 tekniken till exempel för att förlänga xylemcellernas livslängd och därmed försöka öka mängden biomassa i trädstammen, och för att modifiera lignin i specifika typer av xylemceller utan skadliga biverkningar på trädtillväxten.

Mitt favoritträd är asp (Populus tremula). Aspen har vackert vitt trä och korta fibrer, vilket gör den attraktiv som råmaterial för diversifierad bioekonomi. Hybridasp (Populus tremula x P. tremuloides) har potential att växa upp till 25 m3 per hektar och år i södra Sverige. Ändå odlas bara några tusen hektar hybridasp i Sverige. En av anledningarna är bristen på avel i dessa trädslag. Jag har i min forskning identifierat betydande variationer i träets kvalitativa egenskaper samt några av de underliggande genetiska mekanismerna inom en naturlig population av asp. Dessa resultat lägger grunden för förädling av aspar och identifiering av träd med högre biomassaproduktion och bättre träkvalitet. Högkvalitativa aspträd och ökad användning av asp kommer förhoppningsvis att bidra till minskad nyttjande av de befintliga skogarna, ökad biodiversitet i vårt landskap och diversifiering av svensk skogsindustri i framtiden.