Jimenez-gomez lab:Inga Schmalenbach
Inga Schmalenbach
Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding
Plant Breeding and Genetics Department
Carl-von-Linné-Weg 10
50829 Köln
Phone. +49 (0) 221-5062-466
Fax: +49 (0) 221-5062-413
Contact
So far my research has focused on quantitative genetic studies in the crop species barley and the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Exploiting the natural variation present within these species, I have applied genetic and genomic tools to gain knowledge on the genetic regulation of complex traits. The traits I have been interested in are either of direct agronomic relevance or are associated with the adaptation of plants to distinct environmental factors.
In the following I would like to give you an overview of my scientific development and the projects I have been involved in.
After completing my studies of agricultural sciences, I started as a PhD student at the Department of Crop Science and Plant Breeding at the University of Bonn. In 2006, I continued my studies in the independent research group ‘Barley Genetics’ headed by my PhD supervisor Prof. Dr. Klaus Pillen at the MPIPZ. I took part in the development and characterization of wild barley introgression lines as an immortal genetic resource for barley research and breeding. The lines were applied to detect QTL (“quantitative trait loci”) involved in the genetic regulation of agronomically important traits. Favorable wild barley alleles which have been identified could be used in future to enhance the genetic diversity of modern barley cultivars. In completion of the studies described above I obtained my PhD in plant breeding at the University of Halle in 2009.
Subsequently, I used the opportunity to start working on Arabidopsis thaliana. Due to the multitude of available genetic and molecular tools and resources, that model plant enables a faster identification of genes and causal alleles underlying complex traits. In the group of Dr. Matthieu Reymond at the MPIPZ, I was involved in the localization and verification of QTL for growth related parameters detected in response to mild drought stress.
Receiving a DFG (German Research Foundation) grant in 2011 has enabled me to continue my research described above. I joined the Adaptive Genomics and Genetics Group of Dr. José Jiménez-Gómez where I currently work on the validation and high-resolution mapping of both single QTL and complex QTL interactions for flowering time and growth (without and in response to drought). First candidate genes have been identified and cloning of interesting alleles is in progress. Once the genes causal for the QTL of interest have been isolated, we intend to gain insight into the regulatory pathways these genes are involved in.
If you are interested in these topics and would like to pursue either a masters or undergraduate thesis you are very welcome to contact me.
Publication list:
Schmalenbach I, Zhang L, Reymond M, Jiménez-Gómez JM (2014) The relationship between flowering time and growth responses to drought in the Arabidopsis Landsberg erecta x Antwerp-1 population. Frontiers in Plant Science 5:609. [link]
Schmalenbach I, Zhang L, Ryngajllo M, Jiménez-Gómez JM (2014) Functional analysis of the Landsberg erecta allele of FRIGIDA. BMC Plant Biology 14(1):218.[link]
Schmalenbach I, March TJ, Bringezu T, Waugh R, Pillen K (2011) High-resolution genotyping of wild barley introgression lines and fine-mapping of the threshability locus thresh-1 using the Illumina GoldenGate Assay. G3(Bethesda)1:187-196.[link]
Tisné S, Schmalenbach I, Reymond M, Dauzat M, Pervent M, Vile D, Granier C (2010) Keep on growing under drought: Genetic and developmental bases of the response of rosette area using a recombinant inbred line population. Plant, Cell & Environment 33: 1875-1887. [link]
Wang GW, Schmalenbach I, von Korff M, Léon J, Kilian B, Rode J, Pillen K (2010) Association of barley photoperiod and vernalization genes with QTLs for flowering time and agronomic traits in a BC2DH population and a set of wild barley introgression lines. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 120: 1559-1574. [link]
Schmalenbach I, Pillen K (2009) Detection and verification of malting quality QTLs using wild barley introgression lines. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 118: 1411-1427.[link]
Schmalenbach I, Léon J, Pillen K (2009) Identification and verification of QTLs for agronomic traits using wild barley introgression lines. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 118: 483-497.[link]
Schmalenbach I, Körber N, Pillen K (2008) Selecting a set of wild barley introgression lines and verification of QTL effects for resistance to powdery mildew and leaf rust. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 117: 1093-1106.[link]
