Case in Point
FER Home : Forest Genetics & Biotechnology : Case in Point
Using Collaboration To Accelerate Progress
In 2004, faculty members within the Department of Forestry and Enviromental Resources established the North Carolina State University Forest Biotechnology Industrial Research Consortium (FORBIRC).
FORBIRC is directed by FER Professor Vincent Chiang and coordinated by FER Professors Ron Sederoff and Hou-min Chang. Twelve other faculty members from FER and the Paper and Engineering Science and Wood Products groups from the College of Natural Resources are also involved. Industry partners include about a dozen participating companies from all over the world.
The Consortium promotes innovation and advances in forest, wood, and paper science using the most advanced forest biotechnology by creating a collaborative platform involving leading forest products industry participants worldwide and NC State University. Its mission is to integrate genome technology, metabolic engineering, traditional tree breeding and wood and paper science into a research organization directed to the creation of superior wood as a raw material and as a product.
Companies and research organizations are welcome to join the Consortium at any time — creating an on-going collaboration with the ability to drive significant industry progress within a very short time.
