Background and objectives

   The development of plant science is important to overcome problems caused by environmental degradation and deficiency of food, associated with climate change and population growth, respectively. Genetic modification technologies, including genetic transformation and genome editing, are essential for the rapid analysis of important plant traits and their use in breeding. We are upgrading the genetic modification technologies with the aim of producing stress-tolerant barley to contribute to global environmental issues and stable food production.
 

Content of activity

   We are focusing on the genetic mechanism of degeneration, regeneration and stem cell formation to utilize genetic modification technology in barley. We are also developing new plant breeding techniques including genome editing. Particularly we are working on the improvement of seed components and resistance to diseases or environmental stress in barley with the outside researcher to establish the barley research network and the collaborative research core.
 

Expected effect

   Upgrading of genetic modification technology of barley enables characterizing genetic mechanism of important traits efficiently, and then effects for environmental issues and food problems promptly by applying these traits to plant breeding. In addition, those techniques and information in barley may be applied for other crops and contribute to develop whole plant science.