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Charles Underwood is a Professor specializing in Plant and Animal Biology at Radboud University. His research focuses on plant reproduction, particularly the mechanisms underlying sexual and asexual reproduction in plant species. He leads a group that investigates the genetic and epigenetic components involved in meiosis and fertilization processes, with a strong emphasis on developing genomic technologies to enhance plant breeding speed. Underwood's work incorporates advanced techniques such as genome editing and super-resolution microscopy, particularly in cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and its wild relatives, to understand fundamental aspects of plant meiosis. His research also delves into apomixis, a form of asexual reproduction where offspring are genetically identical to the mother plant. This phenomenon allows the stabilization of hybrid and polyploid genotypes across generations. The group has achieved significant milestones, including isolating the natural apomixis gene in dandelions and studying its evolutionary implications in various plant families. Underwood's contributions to the field are widely recognized, and he has secured several prestigious research grants, facilitating pioneering projects on plant genomics and crop biotechnology.
Radboud University • Nijmegen, Netherlands
Leading research on plant genome engineering and reproduction.
Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research • Cologne, Germany
Contributing expertise in plant reproductive mechanisms and genomics.
Applies to Research Master's in Linguistics and Communication Sciences (Centre for Language Studies/Department of Language and Communication).