Israelis Among Researchers Behind Cracking of Wheat Genome Sequencing
by Algemeiner Staff
A group of researchers — including several from Israeli institutions — have succeeded in sequencing the wheat genome, the Hebrew newspaper Makor Rishon reported on Friday, citing Science Magazine.
Professor Tzion Fahima — head of the Institute of Evolution at the University of Haifa — was quoted by Makor Rishon as saying, “With global population growth, it is expected that by 2050 the world’s population will reach 10 billion people. In order to feed all of humanity, we must double the wheat crop.”
Fahima added that the mapping of the genome would make it possible for that target to be attained, and that the wheat produced would be “healthier, stronger and more resilient.”
In addition to the University of Haifa, the other two Israeli bodies involved in the project were Tel Aviv University and NRGene.