Monica A. Torres
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1
Total Citations
73
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1
About
Monica A. Torres is a leading plant geneticist whose research centers on the development of genomic resources for common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), with a particular focus on Andean-derived germplasm. Her most cited work, "Development and diversity of Andean-derived, gene-based microsatellites for common bean" (2009, 73 citations), introduced a novel, cost-effective method for identifying genic microsatellites by directly screening cDNA libraries for repeat motifs—bypassing the need for expensive EST sequencing. This approach yielded a robust set of markers that have become essential tools for genetic mapping, diversity analysis, and breeding programs targeting Andean bean varieties. Torres’s contributions have significantly advanced the understanding of bean genetic diversity and provided practical resources for crop improvement, impacting both basic research and applied agriculture. Her work is widely recognized for its methodological innovation and its role in bridging genomic tools with the needs of developing-world agriculture, where common bean is a critical staple.
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