Researchers make wheat genome breakthrough

Gregor Heard
Updated November 27 2020 - 4:31pm, first published 6:00am
University of WA researchers Ian Small and Joanne Melonek played a major role in a recent research project mapping the genomes of 16 wheat varieties.
University of WA researchers Ian Small and Joanne Melonek played a major role in a recent research project mapping the genomes of 16 wheat varieties.

JUST two years after the bread wheat genome was finally mapped for the first time, a crack team of international scientists, including researchers from the University of Western Australia, have sequenced and analysed the genomes of 16 key wheat varieties from around the globe.

Gregor Heard

Gregor Heard

National Grains Industry Reporter

Gregor Heard is ACM's national grains industry reporter, based in Horsham, Victoria. He has a wealth of knowledge surrounding the cropping sector through his 15 years in the role. Prior to that he was with the Fairfax network as a reporter with Stock & Land. Some of the major issues he has reported on during his time with the company include the deregulation of the export wheat market, the introduction of genetically modified crops and the fight to protect growers better from grain trader insolvencies. Still involved with the family farm he is passionate about rural Australia and its people and hopes to use his role to act as an advocate for those involved in the grain sector.

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