Profile TabsProfileDr. Andrea GschwendAssistant Professor gschwend.2@osu.eduhttps://gschwendlab.cfaes.ohio-state.edu614-292-2014Office: 344 Howlett Hall Professional InformationDegrees & Credentials: Ph.D. 2012 The University of Illinois, Plant BiologyB.A. 2006 Augustana College, BiologyResearch Area(s): Comparative genomicsPlant molecular genetics Genome evolutionNew gene evolution as the genetic basis for agronomically significant phenotypesBiography: PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 2012-2017 Postdoctoral Scholar/NIH fellow, The University of Chicago 2017-2018 Instructor of Biology, Loyola University GSCHWEND LAB RESEARCH Newly evolved genes are a potential source of phenotypic novelty. The Gschwend lab takes a comparative genomic approach to identify newly evolved genes that contribute to fitness-related and agronomically significant traits in crops, with a current focus on Vitis (grapes). Using a combination of computational, experimental, and functional techniques, we identify and study genes which have arisen in the last 11 million years across Vitis species. Our goal is to identifying genes which contribute to unique fitness attributes, such as environmental adaptation or stress response, and that underlie desired agronomic traits for future crop improvement efforts.
