Studio del polimorfismo delle proteine di riserva (gliadine) in varietà italiane di frumento duro (Triticum durum). Valutazione della corrispondenza esistente tra la genealogia varietale e le distribuzioni ottenute dall’analisi dei geni codificanti per le proteine di riserva e dei marcatori molecolari. Inoltre è impegnato nello studio per lo sviluppo di modelli statistico-matematici per analizzare la diversità genetica di popolazioni di leguminose (Phaseolus vulgaris) e di specie foraggere (Alchemilla vulgaris). Caratterizzazione di vecchie varietà di frumento tenero in funzione della qualità del pane toscano; in collaborazione con l’ARSIA, la Comunità Montana “montagna Fiorentina” (FI) e la Provincia di Siena. Recupero e caratterizzazione di vecchie e nuove varietà di frumento tenero e duro: analisi delle caratteristiche qualitative e funzionali, in collaborazione con il Dipartimento di Area Critica Medico Chirurgica dell’Università di Firenze

Researcher Activities:

1979-1983 working on collection, evaluation and conservation of wheat germplasm, at the Germplasm Institute of National Council of Researcher (C.N.R.) in Bari, Italy.

1983-1986 working on genetic markers (isozymes and RFLP) to develop genetic maps of wheat, at the Plant Science Department, TAMU University, College Station, Texas.

1986-1992 working on population genetics of chestnut tree utilizing genetic markers (isozymes, RFLP;RAPD and STS) and at the evaluation of existing genetic variability in durum wheat populations (Triticum durum) derived from Sicily by the analysis of protein reserves in the caryopsis at the Agroforestry Institute of C.N.R. Porano (TR) Italy. Utilization of multivariate statistical analyses to study the genetic base linked to phenotypic plasticity. Investigation of the applicability of multivariate statistical analyses in programmes aimed at genetic improvement.

1992-until now: working on salt tolerance and germoplasm conservation of durum wheat and related species (Triticum monococcum, T. dicoccum), at the University of Florence. An other research regarded the study of the genetic variation in reserve proteins in cultured wheat and associated wild relatives, in order to investigate how this variation may be used towards the improvement of the qualitative aspects of pasta and bread making. Study of polymorphisms in the reserve proteins (gliadins) of Italian durum wheat varieties (Triticum durum). The evaluation of the existing similarities between variety genealogies and the obtained distributions was obtained from the analysis of genes encoding reserve proteins and from molecular markers (RAPD). Morphological, anatomical and molecular characterisation of durum wheat germplasm (triticum durum desf.) derived from Sicily to verify associations between morphological-physiological variations recorded in response to salinity from previous work and from SSR and AFLP molecular markers. Characterisation of old soft wheat varieties in function of Tuscan bread quality. Wheat characterisation based on  nutritional and functional properties.