In the GENIUS (Genomic Enhancement and Novel Implementation for Under-represented Nut Species) project, awarded funding under the Horizon Europe Program and coordinated by the Centre Technique Interprofessionnel des Fruits et Légumes (CTIFL) in France, SUNUM researcher Dr. Stuart J. Lucas leads the project, while Dr. Nihal Öztolan Erol participates as a researcher.
The GENIUS project aims to meet the challenges of increasing demand for nuts in a changing climate.
Nut crops such as hazelnut, walnut, chestnut, almond, pistachio and pine nut are among Türkiye's major agricultural products and greatly valued for a healthy diet. However, nut trees take 5-10 years to reach maturity, constraining efforts to breed more productive and resilient varieties.
Within the scope of the project, the researchers will develop new genome data resources for hazelnut and novel nanoparticles that facilitate micropropagation of tree species. Alongside datasets and phenotyping tools being generated by other partners, these will provide breeders with the tools needed to ensure a sustainable future for nut producers.
Congratulations to our researchers, and we wish every success for the project.
