Molecular Genetics
Molecular Genetics Research at WSU
Plant molecular genetics research at Washington State University focuses on the fundamental knowledge of how genes and genomes contribute to plant development and responses to the environment. Some of the molecular genetic techniques employed at Washington State University include genome sequencing, gene expression analysis, gene amplification and cloning, reverse genetics through mutagenesis and mutant screens as well as forward genetics using genome editing and transgenic plants. Molecular geneticists in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences study how plants work and, when applicable, translate this knowledge into crop improvement. The molecular genetics program is crosscutting and interacts with other research areas including breeding, genomics, turf, weed science and microbiology. Molecular genetic research is conducted in laboratories, greenhouses, growth chambers, and Washington State University research farms as well as growers fields.