Developing White Ash with Resistance to the Emerald Ash Borer

This is to certify that the thesis/dissertation prepared By Entitled For the degree of Is approved by the final examining committee: Chair To the best of my knowledge and as understood by the student in the Research Integrity and Copyright Disclaimer (Graduate School Form 20), this thesis/dissertation adheres to the provisions of Purdue University's " Policy on Integrity in Research " and the use of copyrighted material. Further, I certify that this work is free of plagiarism and all materials appearing in this thesis/dissertation have been properly quoted and attributed. I certify that all copyrighted material incorporated into this thesis/dissertation is in compliance with the United States' copyright law and that I have received written permission from the copyright owners for my use of their work, which is beyond the scope of the law. I agree to indemnify and save harmless Purdue University from any and all claims that may be asserted or that may arise from any copyright violation. ______________________________________ Printed Name and Signature of Candidate ______________________________________ Date (month/day/year) ii To my family and friends, for getting me through all rough patches with my sense of humor intact. for all of their laboratory expertise, commiseration, and willingness to give their time. Thanks also to my advisory committee members, Dr. Charles Michler and Dr. Peter Goldsbrough, as well as Dr. Paula Pijut, for her guidance and support, particularly when I needed it the most. I truly could not have done it without all of you. Table 3.2 Effect of timentin concentration on percent callus formation and shoot regeneration of Fraxinus americana 77 Table 3.3 Effect of cytokinin concentration on elongation of transgenic Fraxinus americana microshoots 78 Table 3.4 Effect of auxin concentration on in vitro root formation of transgenic Fraxinus americana microshoots 79 ix LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page Figure 2.1 Callus formation and shoot initiation on a cotyledon explant of Fraxinus Figure 4.3 PCR analysis of genomic DNA isolated from leaves of non-transformed and transgenic white ash for amplification of 457-bp cry8D2 gene .. x Figure Page Figure 4.4 PCR analysis of genomic DNA isolated from leaves of non-transformed and transgenic white ash for amplification of 364-bp nptII gene .. A member of Oleaceae (the olive family), white ash (Fraxinus americana L.) is one of 16 ash species native to North America. White ash joins green ash (F. pennsylvanica) and eight other species in the Melioides section; grouped together …