The applications of research progress of common wheat in teaching genetics

Common wheat (T. aestivum L.) is also known as allohexaploid wheat. Its genome is composed of A/B/D sub-genomes from three closely related diploid ancestors. The evolutionary history of common wheat is used as a classic example to illustrate the mechanism of species formation and chromosome number variation in the current genetics class. In recent years, with the rapid development and application of research technologies, there have been many breakthroughs in the study of common wheat, at the cytological, molecular and genomic level. Here, we summarize the latest research achievements on common wheat, and discuss our practice in combining them with the genetics teaching. Our approach is not only a supplement to the current genetics textbooks, but also enables students to realize that genetics is a constantly evolving natural science. We aim to enhance students' interests in learning, as well as their systematic learning abilities on genetics and related scientific research frontiers.