New Genomic Technologies - A Versatile Toolbox for Crop and Livestock Improvement Mini Symposium Feb. 10, 2025 @ BOKU Vienna
Time: Feb. 10, 2025, 14:00 - 18:00
Place: BOKU University, Vienna, Ilse Wallentin House, Seminar Room 29
Peter Jordan Strasse 82, 1190 Vienna / Austria
And via: livestream.
Free Admission, but please register here.
Keynote speaker:
Prof. Steven Runo from the Kenyatta University Nairobi, Kenya
Leveraging Genome Editing to Enhance Food Security in Africa.
Program
| 14:00 | Welcome and Opening. Eva Schulev-Steindl, Rektor, BOKU |
| 14:15 | A quick Introduction into New Genomic Technologies. Hermann Buerstmayr, BOKU |
| 14:25 | Keynote Lecture: Leveraging Genome Editing to Enhance Food Security in Africa. Steven Runo, Kenyatta University, Nairobi |
| 15:00 | Pitch Presentations on the Application of New Genomic Technologies in Current Research Projects. |
| 15:00 | From Model to Crop: Targeting Drought Resistance in Soybean. Irma Tkachenko, PhD student, BOKU |
| 15:10 | Finding the Needle in the Haystack - How CRISPR helps in Resistance Gene Discovery. Herbert Michlmayr, Post Doc, BOKU |
| 15:20 | Using CRISPR/Cas-based editing to Uncover Gene Function in Barley. Claudia Rosa Espinet, MSc student, BOKU |
| 15:30 | How to use CRISPR to label developmental lineages in living plants. Mattia Dona, Post Doc, GMI |
| 15:40 | Coffee Break - sponsored by ÖAW & AgriGenomics Poster Presentations* |
| 16:20 | Overview on GMO-free Production and Markets in Austria and Perspectives under current Developments. Adolf Marksteiner, Landwirtschaftskammer Austria |
| 16:45 | How can Science Communication work? Wie kann Wissenschaftskommunikation gelingen? n.n., Journalist |
| 17:10 | Podium Discussion |
| 17:40 | Buffet and Chill Out - sponsored by BOKU & AgriGenomics Poster Presentations* |
* PhD students in the Doctoral School AgriGenomics present their doctoral projects.
Target audience: students, high-school pupils, university faculty, high-school teachers, biologists, agriculturalists, professionals in the food or agricultural sector, anyone interested in biology, food safety, biodiversity, etc..
In this half-day symposium at BOKU we will:
1) explain and describe the systems around gene editing in an understandable way;
2) showcase some examples of gene editing for genomic research and crop improvement;
3) discuss some of the economic and political aspects; and
4) discuss with you your expectations, concerns, and questions.
Keynote speker Prof. Steven Runo is working on understanding host-parasite interaction between Striga hermonthica (witchweed) and its host plants. Striga is a noxious parasitic weed that causes major crop losses, particularly in Africa and poses a threat to food security and the livelihoods of smallholder farmer. Steve Runo has identified genes in wild millet that are responsible for resistance to Striga and is using his knowledge to equip cultivated millet varieties with Striga resistance. Gene editing is one approach used for this purpose: one of many examples in which this principle can contribute to increasing yields and food security.
Contact: Prof. Hermann Bürstmayr, BOKU and Gregor Mendel Society Vienna.
Email: plant.breeding(at)boku.ac.at
Hosted by BOKU University Vienna, in cooperation with the Gregor Mendel Society Vienna, the Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, and the Austrian Academy of Sciences.