Faculty
Patrick Byrne
Plant Breeding/Genetics (Molecular-Quantitative Genetics)
Professor
Graduate Student Coordinator
C-131 Plant Science Building
patrick.byrne@colostate.edu
970-491-6985 office
970-491-7743 lab
970-491-0564 fax
Research Interests
My research program focuses on the application of quantitative and molecular genetics to crop improvement. Through quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis, we hope to locate and characterize the genes that control abiotic stress tolerance and end-use quality in wheat, yield and oil content in Brassica oilseed crops, and fungal disease resistance in common bean. Another research interest is biotechnology risk assessment; studies are currently underway to estimate the level of gene flow between wheat and jointed goatgrass under Colorado conditions.
Extension & Outreach
Since 2000, I have conducted a public outreach program on the benefits and risks of genetically engineered crops. This has included making presentations throughout Colorado, nationally, and internationally, and helping to establish and maintain an educational web site on GE crops (http://cls.casa.colostate.edu/TransgenicCrops/).
Two Fact Sheets on this topic are available through CSU Cooperative Extension: Bio-Pharming (http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/crops/00307.html) and Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods (http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09371.html).
Courses:
SOCR430 Applications of Plant Biotechnology
SOCR475 Global Challenges in Plant and Soil Science
SOCR725 Quantitative Inheritance in Plant Breeding
SOCR730 Topics in Plant Breeding and Genetics