Research was structured into three different clusters based on research areas, the so-called task forces. All research groups working within the competence centre were subdivided among these three entities and each entity was managed by a pair of task-force leaders. To promote interactions task forces could apply to the board for resources for common projects and/or infrastructure.
Task force 1: Tree growth and productivity
Task force leaders: Torgny Näsholm and Vaughan Hurry
Basic research: Nutrient uptake, regulation of biomass allocation, effects of environmental stresses on growth, formation of adventitious roots, balance between root and shoot development, basic processes controlling cell division and growth, phloem development.
Applications and applied projects: New fertilizers, enhanced nitrogen uptake, new herbicides, superior tree seedlings with enhanced productivity, somatic embryogenesis, eucalyptus and hybrid aspen/poplar transformations, plantation forestry of elite clones of conifers and hybrid aspen/poplars.
Task force 2: Wood development and wood quality
Task force leaders: Ewa Mellerowicz and Hannele Tuominen
Basic research: Biology of wood formation including the activity of the vascular cambium, xylem fibre expansion, secondary wall formation and cell death.
Applied projects: Development of novel tree genotypes with enhanced biomass production and modified wood qualities.
Task force 3: Seasonal and age control of perennial growth and development
Task force leaders: Maria Eriksson and Rishikesh BhaleraoBasic research: Meristem cycling between growth and dormancy, day-length regulation of flowering and growth cessation, juvenility-to-maturity transition including effects on flowering, adventitious root formation and wood formation, regulation of senescence.
Applied research: Superior tree seedlings with an ideal length of the growing period. Early flowering trees as breeding tools, sterile trees for plantations of GM trees, better winter hardiness.