We have a research project starting in 2017 on Ethiopian banana, Ensete ventricosum, for 18 months, in collaboration with Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Dr Paul Wilkin) and University of Addis Ababa (Professor Sebsebe Demissew). There is a post-doctoral position working with the project (closed 7 August 2017). The project “Modelling and genomics resources to enhance…
Category: People
Researchers and collaborators past and present from the molecular cytogenetics research group, University of Leicester
Molecular cytogenetics research group October 2014
At our lab. meeting a couple of weeks ago, we were happy to welcome two new PhD students to the group. Here we all are in the lobby of our Adrian Building. We are from six countries, and work on a diverse range of molecular cytogenetics projects. From left to right, left of DNA molecule:…
Chromosomal evolution in Brachiaria forage grasses with Fabiola Carvalho Santos
Fabiola Santos from University of Londrina, Brazil, is working on the Chromosomal evolution and the organization of repetitive DNA sequences in diploid and polyploid Brachiaria forage grasses in the molecular cytogenetics group in Leicester. Brachiaria is most important cultivated forage grass genus in Brazil (with billion-dollar production), and the genus includes diploid and polyploid species with similar…
Sugar cane and characterization of Saccharum hybrids by molecular cytogenetics with Natalia Melloni
Natália Melloni from UNESP and IAC, Brazil, has been characterizing Saccharum sugar cane hybrids in a collaboration with the molecular cytogenetics group. The title of the project is “Characterization of interspecific hybrids (Saccharum spp x Saccharum spontaneum) by molecular cytogenetics” or “Caracterização de híbridos interespecíficos (Saccharum spp x Saccharum spontaneum ) por citogenética molecular”, and…
Worku Mhiret: Biodiversity and its exploitation in Ethiopian Linseed
Worku Mhiret from the University of Gondar, Ethiopia and Pat Heslop-Harrison (University of Leicester, UK) are working on linseed or flax: measuring the diversity of accessions from Ethiopia and comparing this with varieties from Ireland, Canada and elsewhere. We are also making crosses between lines and between cultivars and wild species of Linum; these are…
Nouf Alsayied: PhD student with Saffron Crocus at the University of Leicester and faculty member Umm Al-Qura University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
My research focuses on understanding the origin and diversity of the genus Crocus (Iridaceae), with particular emphasis on a triploid sterile plant, Crocus sativus (2n=3x=24) that yields Saffron, one of the most expensive spices on earth. The saffron is the stigmas of the flowers, and nearly 200,000 must be collected to give 1kg of spice,…
The origin of saffron: Crocus sativus
Our research projects are studying the origins and diversity in several polyploid crops: banana, wheats, Brassica, Panicum millets, Nicotiana and the saffron crocus, Crocus sativus. The spice saffron is the stigmas of the flowers, and widely appreciated in Indian and Mediterranean cooking. Saffron crocus is a sterile triploid, with 2n=3x=24 chromosomes – that is, 3…
The Molecular Cytogenetics Research Group 2013
We were mostly together for our lab meeting in March 2013. Missing: Dr John Bailey; PhD students Farah Badakshi (polyploid species), Stuart Desjardins (Knotweed with Dr John Bailey), Worku Mhiret (linseed diversity, working in Ethiopia), Chetan Patokar (PhD student, wheat introgression); and Andy Tock (pre-PhD experience), MSc student Steven Terry (Musa disease genes). Pat Heslop-Harrison took…
Pat Heslop-Harrison PI
Pat (JS) Heslop-Harrison is Professor of Plant Cell Biology and Molecular Cytogenetics at the University of Leicester, UK. He co-leads the research group investigating the genomics and evolution of the plants and animals with a focus on crops. He is involved with media presentations, gives strategic and policy input, and reviews research.
Trude Schwarzacher PI
Dr Trude Schwarzacher is a co-project leader of the Molecular Cytogenetics research group in the University of Leicester. Current research interests include: Wheat and related species I am studying introgression of alien chromosomes and introgression of alien chromosomes from wild species into bread wheat. In wheat and related species, we have found differences in cytosine…
Molecular cytogenetics and genome evolution 