NC State assistant professor and author Massimo Iorizzo spends most of his days working with plant and fruit genetics and has published scientific articles on everything from cranberries to potatoes. His most recent work in carrots may change the future of how the root vegetable is studied.
Iorizzo was born in Italy. He received his Master of Science and doctorate at the University of Naples in Italy. He has studied carrots for over three years and written many scientific articles about the vegetable. Iorizzo is in the process of authoring a new article, focusing on the carrot genome sequence.
“When I finished my Ph.D., I was looking for something to do my post doctorate in that would allow me to continue my research,” Iorizzo said. “I found that there hadn’t been much research done in the field of carrot genetics and I saw a lot of opportunity there.”
Focusing on potato genomics in Italy led Iorizzo to begin his post doctorate research on carrots. This brought him to Kannapolis, NC to continue his research working with the NC State Plants for Human Health Institute.
“Dr. Iorizzo helps to further position our department as a leader in genomic-based breeding,” said Wayne Buhler, interim department head of NC State’s Department of Horticultural Science. “We look forward to his advances in fruits and vegetables to assist with production challenges and improved human health benefits.”
Entering the field of carrot genomics was challenging because of the lack of research and resources, but the risk of the undertaking and the potential for new discoveries to be made excited Iorizzo.
Research tools were found to be another problem. Iorizzo discovered that few labs had what he needed to research carrots further beyond what data was already in the field.
Iorizzo’s initial postdoctoral work with the carrot genome project began in Wisconsin in 2012. It involved teaming up with the private sector to decode the carrot genome and find a way to speed up the breeding process.
Iorizzo works on plant genomics with the intent of improving nutrition while also decreasing production time. This would provide the consumer with a better carrot that is not only nutritionally enhanced, but also more resistant to diseases.
Iorizzo’s research on carrot genome sequencing has vastly improved the process’ speed. Iorizzo and his team can now decode a gene in two to five years instead of the previous five to 10 years.
In his lab, he focuses on producing unique carrots that contain high levels of carotenoids. The carotenoids change the color of the carrots, which affects the nutritional value of the vegetable.
“My goal is to connect the DNA to nutrition,” Iorizzo said.
The super carrots Iorizzo’s team produce have a higher drought tolerance, they are more disease resistant and they even have a better taste. Iorizzo hopes that the work he has done with carrot genomics will help future researchers thanks to the easier access to laboratories and materials as well as an improved sequencing method.
