David Chagne

Biography

  Dr. David Chagné is a Honorary Senior Research Fellow in Department of Biochemistry at University of Otago School of Biomedical Sciences, New Zealand. His research focuses on the application of genetic mapping and genomics to elucidate the genetic control of important plant characters. He has a strong underpinning interest in the study of DNA variations in plant genomes. He has catalogued single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the apple and pear genomes and led an international project that has sequenced the European pear genome. Using this information, He has identified markers linked to significant traits, including fruit antioxidant content, red flesh and peel, crispness and aroma. He designed a SNP assay that has been used to accurately predict fruit quality of young apple seedlings using genome-wide selection, years before they first set fruit. He is the author of many articles published in several reputed journals.

Research Interest

 Dr. David Chagné's research focuses on the application of genetic mapping and genomics to elucidate the genetic control of important plant characters. He has a strong underpinning interest in the study of DNA variations in plant genomes. He has catalogued single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the apple and pear genomes and led an international project that has sequenced the European pear genome. Using this information, He has identified markers linked to significant traits, including fruit antioxidant content, red flesh and peel, crispness and aroma. He designed a SNP assay that has been used to accurately predict fruit quality of young apple seedlings using genome-wide selection, years before they first set fruit.