The Marcus Wallenberg Prize Symposium

From Tree Genomes to Future Forest

November 4 2025, 08.30-12.20 CET

Welcome to the Marcus Wallenberg Prize Symposium

The theme of this year’s symposium is From Tree Genomes to Future Forest. A distinguished selection of speakers will deliver presentations on forest genomics from scientific, regulatory, and business perspectives.

The 2025 MWP Laureate, Dr. Gerald Tuskan, will give a keynote presentation at the symposium. Dr. Gerald Tuskan is awarded the 2025 Marcus Wallenberg Prize for his pioneering work in sequencing and analyzing the first tree genome. His leadership in this project has revolutionized research in tree and forest genomics and biotechnology, paving the way for genome-based breeding of commercially important trees.

Very welcome!

Marcus Wallenberg,
Chairman of the Marcus Wallenberg Foundation

Event details

Date: November 4, 2025, at 08.30-12.20 CET

The digital symposium attendance is free of charge and open for everyone.

Registration to be made by November 3, 2025.

A recording of the symposium will be distributed to registered persons after the event.

REGISTER HERE

The Marcus Wallenberg Prize

The purpose of the Prize is to recognize, encourage and stimulate pathbreaking scientific achievements which contribute significantly to broadening knowledge and to technical development within the fields of importance to forestry and forest industries.

Learn more: mwp.org

Agenda

Part 1

Tree Genomes – moderated by Mike Wingfield

08:30-08:35

Opening and Welcome by Chairman Marcus Wallenberg

08:35-08:40

Introduction by moderator Mike Wingfield

08:40 – 09:00
Forest biotechnologies: Four+ decades of rapid change

Steve Strauss

09:00 – 09:30
Tree Genomics: Past Triumphs, Present Frontiers, Future Possibilities

2025 MWP Laureate Gerald Tuskan

09:30 – 09:50

Regulatory context – New Genomic Techniques: Driving Innovation and Competitiveness 
Jessica Polfjärd, EU Parliament 

09:50 – 10:00
Announcement of 3-MT winner from the YR

Tahani Kaldéus

10:00 – 11:00
Break and Young Researchers poster session
Part 2
Moderated by Mike Wingfield
11:00 – 11:15
Genomics and quantitative genetics converge to predict complex traits in industrial Eucalyptus breeding of future forests 

Dario Grattapaglia

11:15 – 11:30
Poplar genome engineering for tomorrow’s bioeconomy 

Chung-Jui Tsai

11:30 – 11:45
Harnessing the power of genomics to enhance tree resistance

Sanushka Naidoo

11:45 – 12:00
Transformative changes in poplar breeding thanks to genomic information 

Catherine Bastien

12:00– 12:15
Genomic Breeding in the Nordics Conifers  

Harry Wu

12:15– 12:20
Summary

Mike Wingfield

12:20
Lunch & networking
For more information
Shiva Telavari, Coordinator of the Marcus Wallenberg Foundation
Mail: shiva.telavari@mwp.org Tel: +46 72 572 58 50.
 

The purpose of the Prize is to recognize, encourage and stimulate pathbreaking scientific achievements which contribute significantly to broadening knowledge and to technical development within the fields of importance to forestry and forest industries.
Learn more: mwp.org