Research

Crops are plant species that have evolved in a cultural context to provide food and other products for human society. Crop species are fascinating subjects for evolutionary study, since they are examples of species that have undergone rapid diversification under intense selection pressures. They also permit us to understand the dynamic interface between genetics, evolution and human culture.

We are studying the origin and evolution of rice (Oryza sativa), the world’s most important food crop, as well as date palms (Phoenix dactylifera), which is the iconic crop of the arid regions of the Middle East and North Africa. By using tools of evolutionary genomics and systems biology, and integrating these with archaeological and paleoclimate data, our studies provide insights into the processes and mechanisms that accompany cultural selection on plant species during domestication events.

Finally, our studies of how crops evolve and adapt to local environments and cultures help us find genes that may be important in future crop improvement, especially for changing climates.