The main objective of this IUFRO Unit on "Somatic Embryogenesis of Forest Trees" is to foster the development and application of somatic embryogenesis (SE) technology in both coniferous and hardwood tree species. Research areas of this unit include: the development and refinement of the SE system for commercially and ecologically important tree species; the application of SE in tree breeding and vegetative deployment in multi-varietal forestry balancing genetic gain and diversity; the use of SE in genetic resource conservation, biotechnology, genomics, molecular biology, and insect and disease resistance; and the study of related disciplines such as cryopreservation and molecular genetic and epigenetic markers.