Dr Marianna Pasquariello

My research’s aim is to investigate genes and molecular processes that control inflorescence architecture in wheat.

Specifically, my research focuses on the investigation of genes that determine the number and arrangement of spikelets forming on a wheat inflorescence.

To investigate this trait, I study the development of ‘paired spikelets’, which are supernumerary spikelets characterised by the formation of two spikelets rather than the typical single spikelet. To do so, I use a range a range of approaches including genetic mapping, transcriptomics, microscopy and field trials.