Mo. - Humans have harvested wheat for more than 10,000 years. Today, with six billion humans on earth, and 800 million underfed, scientists are seeking ways to create more and better quality wheat. We are focusing on the genes that are involved in this cycle and trying to find out the genes that are expressed during certain stages of wheat reproduction. Post-doctorate researchers will interact with their peers and conduct research with some of the world's foremost wheat geneticists.
Wheat is the largest single food crop in the world and feeds more people than any other crop.
It makes up 55 percent of all carbohydrates consumed, and about 90 percent of all wheat grown is consumed by humans. The United States is the world's largest exporter of wheat, exporting about 40 percent of the world total. However, in places like central Africa and other developing countries, people are dying of malnutrition every day. They are too poor to buy wheat and what food they do eat is lacking in critical nutrients. If we can create a better wheat, and a more nutritious food, it could have a huge impact on these people.