Richard Meilan

Associate Professor

Department: Forestry and Natural Resources
Phone: 765.496.2287
Fax: 765.494.9461
Office: PFEN G021E
E-mail: rmeilan@purdue.edu
Personal Web Page

Area of Expertise: Genetics
Curriculum Vitae

Research Group

Facilities

Related Centers

Genetics

Molecular Tree Physiology Lab

Energy Center

Natural Resources Leadership Development Institute

Richard “Rick” Meilan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) at Purdue University. Rick received his B.S. (summa cum laude) in Forest Science from Humboldt State University (HSU) in 1983, his M.S. in Forestry from HSU in 1985, and a joint Ph.D. (with honors) in Botany (Physiology and Molecular Biology) and Forestry (Forest Biology) from Iowa State University in 1990. He worked four years as a Rockefeller Foundation post-doctoral research fellow before joining the faculty in the Biochemistry Department at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He was on the faculty in the Forest Science Department at Oregon State University for nine years before coming to Purdue in October 2003.

In his laboratory, Rick uses molecular tools to investigate the genetic mechanisms by which key aspects of tree growth and development are controlled. He is also attempting to domesticate and add value to various tree species by genetically engineering them to express genes that impart environmentally beneficial and commercially important traits. Active research projects include efforts to insert genes that control flowering, as a means of transgene confinement; insect (Emerald Ash Borer) resistance; herbicide tolerance; and lignin composition. He and his group are also trying to identify genes that regulate the transition from sapwood to heartwood, the formation of figured wood, and the initiation of lateral and adventitious roots.

- Recent Publications

Michler, C. H., P. M. Pijut, R. Meilan, G. Smagh, X. Liang, & K. E. Woeste (2008). Black walnut. A Compendium of Transgenic Crop Plants (263-278). Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing.

Joshi, C. P., A. M. Brunner, V. Busov, R. Meilan, S. Thammannagowda, & C. J. Tsai (2008). Poplars. A Compendium of Transgenic Crop Plants (1-34). Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing.

Dunning, J. B., R. Meilan, D. Jacobs, G. B. Blank, T. Easley, & M. Olsson (2008). Collaborative Study Abroad – combining efforts to improve undergraduate experience. NACTA Journal, In press.

Li, J., A. M. Brunner, R. Meilan, & S. H. Strauss (2008). Matrix attachment region elements have small and variable effects on transgene expression and stability in field-grown Populus. Plant Biotechnology Journal, 6, 887-896.

Li, J., A. M. Brunner, O. Shevchenko, R. Meilan, C. Ma, J. S. Skinner, & S. H. Strauss (2008). Efficient and stable transgene suppression via RNAi in field-grown poplars. Transgenic Research, DOI 10.1007/s11248-007-9148-1.

Li, J., A. M. Brunner, R. Meilan, & S. H. Strauss (2008). Stability of transgenes in trees: Expression of two reporter genes in poplar over three field seasons. Tree Physiology, DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpn028.

Li, J., R. Meilan, C. Ma, M. Barish, & S. H. Strauss (2008). Stability of herbicide resistance over 8 years of coppice in field-grown, genetically engineered poplars. Western Journal of Applied Forestry, 23(2), 89-93.

Meilan, R. (2007). Manipulating Lignin Biosynthesis to Improve Populus as a Bio-Energy Feedstock. GENETICALLY ENGINEERED: Identifying Priorities for Ecological Risk Assessment.

Meilan, R. (2007). Dwarfism genes for modifying the stature of woody plants: A case study in. Landscape Plant Development Newsletter.

Meilan, R. (2007). Loosening lignin’s grip on biofuel production. Nature Biotechnology, 25(7), 746-748.