Genetic diversity and novel crops

We systematically characterise genetic diversity across a wide range of species, including both established crops and their wild relatives. Using advanced genomic tools, high-throughput genotyping and bioinformatic analyses, we identify patterns of variation at the DNA and haplotype level. This work allows us to pinpoint the underlying genetic architecture of traits that are rare, absent or poorly expressed in current commercial cultivars. Our focus is on understanding diversity itself: where it originates, how it is organised, and how it can be made accessible for breeding.

We investigate species that have strong potential for future agriculture but limited breeding history. Examples include perennial grasses such as Miscanthus and emerging grain and protein crops such as quinoa. These species offer a rich biological landscape for discovering novel alleles, growth habits and biochemical pathways. By studying their natural diversity, we identify genetic factors linked to biomass composition, nutrient use, adaptation to marginal soils and other functional traits. This provides fundamental insights that can later inform breeding strategies without duplicating work covered under stress biology or resistance research.

Many of our methods are designed to be broadly applicable to species that lack extensive genomic resources. We develop flexible genotyping pipelines, scalable phenotyping approaches and data-driven analyses that can be transferred to a wide range of novel crops. In doing so, we contribute to a methodological framework that supports the introduction of new species into diverse agricultural and bio-based production systems. These tools are intended to accelerate early-stage research and help overcome bottlenecks typically associated with orphan or emerging crops.

By integrating biodiversity research with cutting-edge genomics, we create a foundation for more diverse and resilient agricultural systems. Our work expands the range of species and genetic materials that breeders can draw upon, enabling long-term innovation in food, feed and biomaterial production. This fundamental research forms a cornerstone for future crop development, ensuring that plant breeding has access to a broad and evolving pool of genetic possibilities.

In the Western society, prevalence and severity of allergies are rapidly increasing. Our research focus is on solutions for allergy-related matters in the pre-medical stage. We study the diversity of allergens in germplasm, and develop strategies to lower the amount of allergens by breeding. In this way, we aim to prevent rather than cure.