Karen Cichy, Ph.D.
- USDA ARS Website for Sugarbeet and Bean Research in East Lansing
- Karen Cichy's publications on Google Scholar.
Overview of Current Program:
Dr. Cichy’s research is focused on the genetic characterization of seed traits related to consumer acceptance and nutritional quality of dry beans. Her research group employs molecular and traditional genetic techniques including diversity analysis, mapping, and gene expression analysis to determine genetic control of seed quality traits. Some of Dr. Cichy’s current research activities include:
- Cooking time: genotypic variability, genetic control and underlying mechanisms, breeding fast cooking dry beans
- Genetic diversity of seed protein and starch composition
- Development of improved germplasm with superior end use quality for use as whole cooked and canned beans and as a powder ingredient in products such as pasta.
- Seed mineral accumulation and bioavailability: diversity studies, mapping, identification of genomic regions and genes, and breeding
- Improving canning quality, color retention, and anthocyanin levels in black beans
- Utilization of VIS/NIRS and hyperspectral imaging as a rapid non-destructive phenotyping tool for seed traits.
Related Work
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PSM May News
Published on May 1, 2023
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Mechanical seed coat damage in dry beans and its effect on end-use product quality
Published on March 16, 2023
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Michigan State University to host dry bean and sugarbeet field day
Published on July 28, 2021
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Michigan State University hosts dry bean and sugar beet virtual field day
Published on August 4, 2020
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Breeding fast cooking beans as a healthy food option
Published on July 1, 2020