Emeritus Professor

Recent methodological advances provided novel insights into the spatial genome organization in mammalian cell nuclei and its functional role. This progress contrasts with the limited knowledge on higher order chromatin folding in mitotic chromosomes. Our preliminary data on chromatin contact frequency at megabase resolution obtained in barley mitotic chromosomes suggest remarkable differences in mitotic chromosome organization between . . .

Whole genome sequencing of common wheat has led to gaining several novel data and molecular tools which can be utilized for selection and evaluation of wheat genotypes with specific combinations of development-related genes as well as those genotypes revealing enhanced tolerance to abiotic (drought, frost) and biotic (Fusarium head blight, Phytophthora infestans) stress factors. The project is focused on testing and potential utilization of selected . . .

The main goal of the project is to exploit the existing and new data on critical phenotypic traits of important crops (e.g., crop establishment, biotic stress, abiotic stress, quality and yield) and use it with genotyping tools. On the other hand, crop genotyping is exploitable for analysing genetic diversity and variety identity that relates to breeding designing and variety property protection.

The objective of the project is acquiring of new knowledge about growth regulation, phenotype formation and stress adaptation of plants, which are the main food source of humankind. Novel multidisciplinary approaches will be applied, which use the newest technologies and take advantage of international network of cooperating top-class research institutions.

Seeds of cereals are the key source of food for humans and domestic animals. This is owing to their large and energy-rich triploid endosperm tissues. In Arabidopsis, endosperm precursor cells undergo massive epigenetic reprogramming, which is necessary for succesful seed development. Surprisingly, little is known about epigenetic control of endosperm development in seeds of major European cereals. We will identify epigenetic makeup, chromozome . . .

Employing the gene pool of wild relatives is an attractive approach to ensure the ability of wheat to sustain yield quality and quantity under changing climatic conditions. Wild goat grasses (Aegilops) are rich sources of disease resistance, nutritional quality and abiotic stress tolerance. However, the utilization of Aegilops genetic diversity in the wheat breeding has been hampered by the low throughput of selection methods and the poor knowledge on . . .