Genomics, Gene Discovery and Genome Editing in Crops
Diverse climatic and geographical zones in Peru are home to a great variety of crops (e.g., potatoes, quinoa, asparagus, and coffee). Recent advances in genomics and biotechnology offer great potential to address biotic and abiotic challenges to crop production to ensure food security, leading to better nutrition and human health.
This UK-Peru joint workshop, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and implemented by the British Council, will greatly enhance the capacity of Peruvian scientists to implement modern genomics and biotechnological methods in their crop breeding programs for rapid and targeted improvement of their respective crops. Also, it will open the possibility of collaboration between UK plant research centres and key Peruvian agricultural institutes. In particular early stage researchers from both countries will make contacts important to their future careers, forging links that will initiate projects with significant downstream benefits to Peruvian food security and nutrition as well as improving incomes for Peruvian farmers and food producers.
The workshop is co-organised by the James Hutton Institute and Peruvian partners the National Institute of Agricultural Innovation (INIA), with the collaboration of the International Potato Center (CIP) and the National Agrarian University La Molina, Lima, Peru.
Who can apply?
Early stage crop scientists from the UK can apply to attend, with all travel and local expenses paid for the 5-day duration of the workshop. There is funding for the attendance of 12-15 UK researchers. ‘Early career’ UK researchers should have been awarded their Ph.D. not more than ten years before the workshop (or to have equivalent experience), with allowances made for career breaks. If a researcher does not hold a Ph.D. but has research experience equivalent to a Ph.D. holder and works in a field where a Ph.D. is not a pre-requisite for established research activity, they can still be considered eligible for the workshop.
Workshop programme
Day 1 will focus on ‘Tools for Genomics-assisted breeding.'
Day 2 will focus on ‘Recent Advances in Gene Discovery.'
Day 3 will focus Recent advances in crop biotechnology, including genome editing. (Mentor)
Day 4 will focus on “Problems impacting on Peruvian crop production.”
Day 5 will focus on group discussion on all of the topics covered and the next steps.
Applicants from the UK should apply by Monday 14th December 5 pm to Dr Glenn Bryan, Cell and Molecular Sciences group, James Hutton Institute, Dundee DD2 5DA.
Applicants should send a full CV along with a letter detailing why they are qualified to attend the workshop and explaining their interests in working with Peruvian crop scientists.
