Our Research
We have fundamental objectives of understanding genome evolution and biodiversity, impacting agricultural sustainability, ensuring food security. We work on crop plants and farm animals at DNA, chromosome and genome or genomic levels. We use microscopy, bioinformatics, in situ hybridization, molecular genetics, and systems biology to gain a comprehensive understanding of fundamental processes related to chromosomes, polyploidy, and DNA sequence evolution.

Major fields of research interest: Genomics; Genome evolution; Biodiversity; Chromosome biology; Plant breeding; Food security; Sustainable agriculture; Biotic and abiotic stress; Genetic DNA Markers; Chromosomes; Epigenetics; Chromatin; Centromeres; Diversity; Agriculture; Cell and molecular biology; Imaging; Ecosystems; Functional genomics; Retrotransposons and transposons; Repetitive DNA structure and function; Systems biology; Polyploidy; Hybridization; Genome assembly; Greenhouse gases; Ruminant methane; Net-Zero; Climate change; Reproduction; Evolution; Phylogeny.

Species we work with: Crops and farm animals and wild relatives, wheat, cereals, forage grasses, banana, Brassicas, oil palm, bovines, cattle, Drosophila.

Wider areas of policy and practice: Pedagogy, teaching and networks; Exploitation and commercialization of research; Research and training for development. Research publication and journal strategy; Interdisciplinary research; Research evaluation and assessment; Scientific advice in policy formulation; Media & Public understanding; Use and impact of academic research.