[SCAN] Fields of Genes: Time to Harvest

Scan Seminar

Title: Fields of Genes: Time to Harvest

Speaker: Carlota Vaz Patto

From: PlantX, Genetics and Genomics of Plant Complex Traits, ITQB

Abstract:

This SCAN seminar will focus on the research developed by the newly created ITQB PlantX Lab.

The main objective of this research group is to understand the genetic and genomic architecture of complex plant traits, which are notoriously hard to grasp by breeders. This knowledge will allow us to develop control models, scientific methods and molecular selection tools essential for precision breeding.

The current focus of our research is on end-user quality (nutritional, health beneficial, organoleptic, technological processing) and resistance to biotic (fungal diseases) and abiotic (drought) stresses, on plant germplasm of national interest (such as grass pea, beans and maize). These are highly relevant topics nowadays since there is a worldwide increasingly concerned with food quality and environmental sustainability.
To reach this goal we are developing a collaborative, multidisciplinary and integrative research, conjugating extensive field/growth chamber work, chemistry and food technology analysis or phytopathological evaluations, with molecular and gene expression studies through many different statistical approaches. Some examples on current projects will be presented.