Wheat Genomics & Disease Resistance


Fahima's Lab research interests have focused on the application of state-of-art plant genomics for characterization, utilization, and conservation of wild cereal populations in Israel, especially wild emmer wheat (WEW; Triticum dicoccoides) and wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum), the primary progenitors of wheat and barley, respectively. Our laboratory is involved in plant structural and functional genomics studies, and population genetics of wild cereals. We also conduct research of plant-pathogen interactions by identification and characterization of genes involved in the plant host response to the pathogens. The genomic studies include molecular marker development, linkage mapping, quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis, map-based (positional) cloning, maker-assisted selection, sequence analysis and CRISPR mediated genome editing of several traits with economic values, such as disease resistance, grain protein content (GPC) and minerals and drought resistance. Our long-term research enabled us to make the milestones in positional cloning of the high grain protein QTL (Gpc-B1), the stripe rust resistance genes (Yr15, Yr36), and the powdery mildew resistance genes (Pm69 and TdPm60) all are derived from WEW.