Ph.D. Population Genetics 1984, N.I.Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia M.Sc. My primary research interest is in understanding the genetic control of complex traits determining adaptation and response to environmental stresses in conifers, as well as traits of practical value, such as wood quality, growth, and disease resistance, which often have quantitative expression.
Conifers have significant economic and environmental importance, and a remarkable evolution.
I use genome and QTL mapping to determine the number of genes controlling quantitative traits, their effect and distribution in the genome. However, to be able to compare genetic maps and to verify QTL between and even within species the comparative and consensus genetic maps should be developed. High similarity among plant orthologous genes allows us to use them as common markers in CCGP to analyze gene order in different conifer species, to discover new candidate genes, and to study their function. My major objective is to produce comparative and consensus genetic maps in conifers including several pines and Douglas-fir using orthologous genetic markers such as cDNA and EST based markers. CCGP should provide insight into how pine and other conifer genomes have evolved.