Headshot of Todd Michael

Todd Michael, PhD
Research Professor
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies
PANELIST - CULTIVATION WORKSHOP
POSTER PRESENTER
CULTIVATION

Cannabis flowering

Cannabis is an ancient multipurpose crop domesticated for fiber, seed, and pharmacologically active compounds. Optimization of these traits has involved independent selection on flowering time, sex expression, and inflorescence architecture, traits that ultimately determine yield and chemotype. Like other photoperiodic species, flowering in Cannabis is orchestrated by the circadian clock, which synchronizes diel gene expression with environmental light cycles. Using the Cannabis pangenome, multiple RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) time courses, and a genome-wide association study (GWAS) across a diverse panel of cultivars, we uncovered extensive structural variation in genes involved in photoperiod sensing, floral induction, and sex determination. Remarkably, unlike most angiosperms in which up to 50% of the transcriptome exhibits time-of-day (TOD) rhythmicity, only 9% of Cannabis transcripts cycle in leaf tissue and fewer than 2% in flowers. Core circadian regulators show haplotype-specific expression, and variation in key flowering genes provides potential markers for breeding and selection. We further dissect circadian and flowering time regulation in both male and female tissues, revealing distinct transcriptional programs linked to sex-specific developmental trajectories. Finally, by analyzing a population segregating for floral morphology, we explore the interplay between coding and non-coding variants shaping female flower form. Together, these findings establish a functional framework for integrating circadian and developmental genetics to optimize flowering and morphology in Cannabis, key levers for enhancing yield, cannabinoid production, and consistency under controlled cultivation.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand how daily light cycles and genetic variation influence flowering time, sex expression, and overall plant performance

  • Learn how new pangenome and transcriptome data reveal targets for breeding consistency and trait selection

  • Apply molecular insights to optimize strain development
BIO

Dr. Todd P. Michael, PhD is a Research Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Chief Science Officer at the San Diego Botanic Garden (SDBG), and Adjunct Professor at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). His research integrates advanced sequencing technologies and computational genomics to understand how genome architecture influences plant function, adaptation, and evolution. Dr. Michael’s group develops and applies large-scale pangenome frameworks and systems biology approaches to uncover the genetic foundations of complex traits and to engineer plants for improved resilience and productivity. His work bridges fundamental plant genomics with practical applications in biotechnology and ecological restoration.

View CannMed Resources Below:

Image