Translational Seed Biology Symposium
The Department of Plant Sciences and the Seed Biotechnology Center at UC Davis recently hosted a major international symposium on Translational Seed Biology: From Model Systems to Crop Improvement. Over 275 scientists and students from academic institutions and seed companies from around the world participated in three days of meetings and discussions on the latest advances in seed biology and how these are being translated into improved products for agriculture and nutrition. New approaches to increase seed size and number and therefore increase crop yields were described. Enhancements of seed nutritional content by modification of seed protein, carbohydrate, oil, vitamin and micronutrient composition are in the research and development pipeline. Ways to improve seed longevity were described that will enable better storage of plant genetic resources. Recent research on the regulation of seed germination and dormancy will lead to better seed quality for planting and new strategies for weed management. New techniques can reduce costs and increase the reliability of production of seeds for planting. The first of an annual series of Plant Sciences Symposia sponsored in part by the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the symposium also received financial support from the National Science Foundation, the USDA National Research Initiative, the UC Discovery Program, the International Society for Seed Science and a number of corporate sponsors. The symposium was also supported by members of CSREES Regional Research Project W-1168 representing a number of land grant institutions in the U.S. Abstracts of 30 invited presentations and 65 posters displayed at the symposium can be viewed at http://www.plantsciences.ucdavis.edu/Symposium/2007/.
Apply Now for the Plant Breeding Academy - Space is Limited!
The Plant Breeding Academy (PBA), sponsored by the UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Center, is accepting applications for Class II, which will begin in September 2008. Already accepted to the new class are a number of outstanding professionals from the US, Europe and Africa. These individuals work with a variety of crops including grains, vegetables, and legumes. The PBA is a two year program designed to meet the needs of working professionals, giving them the critical tools they will need to manage a breeding program. Meeting for six one-week sessions over two years, the academy's schedule allows participants to maintain their current working positions. The course includes lectures, field trips, discussions, homework, and a comprehensive final project where students design a breeding program. Taught by internationally recognized plant breeders, the PBA is limited in size to give students personal attention. Visit the Plant Breeding Academy website for more information and to apply for the 2008-2010 Academy. For questions, contact Cathy Glaeser, Program Representative, at clglaeser@ucdavis.edu, or 530-752-4414.
Breeding with Molecular Markers
The SBC will be offering its third Breeding with Molecular Marker course on February 20th-21st, 2008 at UC Davis Buehler Alumni Center. This course is designed for professional plant breeders who want to learn or expand their knowledge on when and how to incorporate molecular markers into their breeding programs. It is also appropriate for lab professionals who want to learn how their work may be applied. The course focuses on current marker technologies, quantitative trait loci, marker-assisted selection, appropriate population structures and sizes and quality control. The second day will host a hands-on workshop on how to analyze marker data with phenotypic data in breeding programs. The course is taught by experienced academic and industry professionals. Please check the SBC website (http://sbc.ucdavis.edu) for more information.
The Second Biennial Charley Rick Symposium - Plant Responses to Biotic and Abiotic Stress. March 13-14, 2008
Named in honor of the late Dr. Charley Rick, distinguished plant geneticist and UCD professor, the second biennial symposium will bring together scholars whose research addresses plant responses to biotic and abiotic stress. The Charley Rick symposium is organized by the UCD Plant Genomics Program (PGP), which was founded in 2004 to encourage interaction between the wide range of people and disciplines involved in plant genomics research on campus (http://pgp.ucdavis.edu/). The PGP currently has a membership of 45 faculty members representing 19 different UCD departments. The event will begin the evening of March 13, 2008 with a welcome reception for all attendees followed by a keynote address by Paul Schulze-Lefert, Director, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany. For more information please contact Jeleana Johnson, 530 754-2252, jtejohnson@ucdavis.edu Please contact Susan DiTomaso at: scwebster@ucdavis.edu for questions or comments.
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