Dr STEVE HANLEY

BIOGRAPHY

Steve’s research is focused on the use of molecular genetic and genomic approaches to improve our understanding of key traits in agriculturally important organisms. This typically involves the discovery of the genes underlying naturally occurring variation. He is also interested in the translation of this fundamental knowledge into crop improvement programmes through molecular breeding. Steve has worked in this area for more than 20 years and has considerable experience in the development of genetic and genomic resources as well as in the application of a range of molecular marker and next generation sequencing technologies. He has led projects on genetic diversity, trait mapping, gene discovery and genome sequencing, with particular focus on Salix and Populus. As leader of the genomics team at Rothamsted Research, Steve is now involved in a range of genomics projects in a number of organisms, but his main focus is on the identification of genes involved in the biosynthesis of high value secondary metabolites in willow.