Anna Backhaus

Anna recently began working at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) in Germany, where she leads the research group responsible for the curation of the collection housed in the IPK Federal Ex situ Gene Bank at Gatersleben. Her group oversees long-term storage, continuous regeneration, and the distribution of material to users.

Originally from Bonn, Germany, Anna conducted most of her academic training in Norwich, UK. She completed her bachelor’s thesis with Scott Boden and her PhD with Cristobal Uauy at the John Innes Centre (JIC), focusing on wheat genetics and spike development. She then pursued a postdoctoral position at ICARDA, working on cereal pre-breeding.

Can you describe your research interests and the work you are going to present at PAG?

I am fascinated by the “hidden knowledge” that genomics allows us to uncover today, especially when working with crop wild relatives and genebanks. When we look at genebank samples in cold storage or during field multiplication, we see a beautiful array of diversity in color and shape. But there is far more diversity that we cannot observe, linked to molecular traits invisible to the human eye. With genomics, we can explore them in silico.

The sequencing of thousands of wheat accessions has enabled us to search for specific, localized diversity patterns and to select genebank accessions more precisely and purposefully. However, handling these large amounts of data remains challenging and relies on high-quality reference genomes and novel ways to examine and interpret genomic information.

Why did you choose to work in this topic?

When we started this work, I was a pre-breeder at ICARDA, where my main task was to make sensible selections from the genebank. ICARDA hosts more than 30,000 wheat accessions, it is therefore impossible to phenotype them all. 

When the opportunity arose to collaborate with my former supervisor, Cristobal Uauy at the JIC, through funding from the UK-CGIAR Centre, we decided to explore how advances in genomics – specifically the use of kmers by his group – could support the work of genebanks and pre-breeders. This is what I enjoy most: finding scientific advancements from diverse fields and applying them to enhance the use and impact of genebanks.

Why did you apply for the IWGSC-Feuillet Early Career Award? 

The IWGSC has shaped my career and research since the start of my PhD until today. I began my PhD in 2018, just as the wheat reference genome was released, which allowed me to conduct research on gene expression in inflorescence development and dream of spatial transcriptomics. During my postdoc I continued to rely on these genomes to map traits and develop markers. So, the resources created by the IWGSC, along with the great webinar series, have been there since my first steps in research.

In what way do you think being recipient of the IWGSC-Feuillet Early Career Award could help you in your career?

I am excited to become part of the IWGSC ‘family’ and to showcase again how many aspects of research have been shaped by the wheat genome sequencing project. As mentioned, the work I will present was made possible because of the collaboration between the two centres I have worked at. I really enjoy bringing research together from different places and disciplines. I hope the award and my participation at PAG33 will help me expand my network and foster connections and joint projects that will benefit genebanks.

What are your career/future plans?

Well, three months ago I made the biggest, most exciting, and unexpected career step in my life. I am now leading a scientific research group at IPK and managing the regeneration of the genebank. My goals now are to integrate into my new institute, find my way into this new role, enjoy all the exciting science ahead of me, and be there for my new team and future students.

PAG Presentation

Genebank subset selection at the haplotype level is possible via advances in kmer genomics
Saturday 10 January 2026, IWGSC workshop, from 8:00 am to 10:10 am.

Links

• Research group – Resources Genetics and Reproduction
• LinkedIn
• Twitter @a_bakinghouse 

Additional Reading

• CropTrust profile (July 2024) 
• CropTrust Bold and Fearless
• Women in science advocacy (Feb 2024)
• CABI Interview (Dec 2023)