• High-throughput genotyping for the characterisation of Italian and European rice germplasm (300 accessions) as a resource of agronomically relevant traits to be introduced in ongoing and future breeding programmes
• Molecular characterization of the genetic and pathogenic diversity of a large Magnaporthe oryzae collection (300 strains) isolated from Italian rice growing areas
• Development of diagnostic molecular techniques for varietal identification and traceability of rice-derived products, to improve rice quality in terms of nutritional value and food security

2. Molecular dissection of stress responses

(Biotic stress team: Pamela Abbruscato, Barbara Menin, Laura Crispino; Abiotic stress team: Raffaella Greco, Paolo Riccardi, Alessandra Vattari)

• Phenotyping and functional characterization of candidate genes involved in rice responses to fungal pathogens (blast infection) and reduced water availability
• Genotype/phenotype association studies for the identification of molecular markers associated to rice tolerance to adverse environmental conditions to be used for Marked Assisted Breeding (MAB)
• Genetic and functional diversity of rice-associated microbial communities to exploit the microbiome ecosystem as a basis for crop protection strategies and a more efficient tolerance to stress conditions

Since 2006 the Rice Genomics Unit has been involved in several national and EU projects in the field of rice biodiversity and resistance to stresses:

Ongoing research projects

• GS-RUSE (2013-2016; Co-coordinator): “Genomic selection for resources use efficiency in rice”, funded by the Agropolis Foundation and the CARIPLO Foundation within the “French-Italian Rice Science and Technology (FIRST) Initiative” (more details here)
• POLORISO (2012-2014; WP leader): “Research, experimentation, new technologies, environmental sustainability and advanced training for the strengthening of the national rice production chain”, funded by the Italian Ministry of Forestry and Agriculture
• RISINNOVA (2011-2014; WP leader): “Integrated genetic and genomic approaches for new Italian rice breeding strategies”, funded by 13 Italian private foundations within the framework of the AGER project aimed at boosting scientific research in agro-food (more details here)
• BIOGESTECA (2010-2013; WP leader): “Green biotechnology platform and innovative management technologies for a sustainable rice cultivation”, funded by the Lombardy Region
• DRYRICE (2010-2013; Coordinator): “Development of drought-tolerant rice varieties for a sustainable rice production in Italy”, funded by the CARIPLO Foundation.

Completed research projects

• EURIGEN (2007-2010; Project coordinator): "Genotyping for the Conservation and Valorization of European Rice Germplasm", funded by the European Commission - DG Agriculture and Rural Development within the AGRI GEN RES action 049 (more details here)
• RISOVAL (2007-2010; Task leader): “A network of rice varietal testing and development of molecular methods for valorisation of rice varieties cultivated in Lombardy”, funded by the Lombardy Region (more details here)
• RICEIMMUNITY (2006-2008; Project coordinator): “The study of resistance mechanism to biotic and abiotic stress in rice”, funded by the CARIPLO Foundation
• VALORYZA (2007-2009; Task leader): "Innovative strategies for competitiveness and food security of Italian rice germplasm”, funded by the Italian Ministry of Forestry and Agriculture

Applications