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ADVANCES IN ARACHIS THROUGH GENOMICS & BIOTECHNOLOGY: AN INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP:
The second annual meeting of the international peanut research community entitled, Advances in Arachis Through Genomics and Biotechnology: An International Strategic Planning Workshop, was held in Atlanta, Georgia on October 24-26, 2007. This event followed the Multi-Crop Aflatoxin Conference at the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center hotel.
The technical program for the Genomics & Biotechnology workshop featured plenary papers on advances in legume crop genomics and plant transformation technology by eminent leaders in the cool and warm season legume research community. Relevant applications of these tools and their potential impact on the peanut industry also was presented in the areas of marketing and trade policy, biofuel feedstocks, and food safety and nutrition. Then scientists from 13 countries joined U.S. researchers to develop a five-year strategic plan for integrating research expertise in genetics, pathology, entomology, agronomy, molecular biology, genomics and biotechnology to solve major stakeholder and consumer concerns on an international scale. This plan will serve as the foundation for the International Peanut Genome Initiative, a collaborative effort that will strive to develop a better understanding of the peanut genome structure, and to apply advances in genomics and biotechnology to enhance peanut productivity, increase crop protection from diseases and pests, and improve peanut product safety and quality.
Genomics and biotechnologies are new areas of science for peanut research. Knowledge of genome architecture will facilitate the identification of a wide range of DNA markers, genes, and peanut genotypes that influence important traits such as resistance to TSWV, nematodes and preharvest aflatoxin contamination; tolerance to drought or water stress; and nutritional quality. Newly identified genes and alleles controlling these traits will enable marker-assisted breeding and transgenic strategies for accelerating peanut enhancement. The superior varieties and germplasm that result should help ensure sustainable peanut productivity and help address other needs of U.S. agriculture such as safety and biofuel issues. Establishing collaborative working relations across geographic areas also will enable timely solutions that are needed to ensure an adequate future supply of safe and nutritious peanuts for food, feed and fuel applications. See http://www.peanut.bioscience.com for more information on peanut genomics.
The annual Multicrop Aflatoxin research review conducted each October of all relevant results on aflatoxin elimination was also conducted at the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Hotel, October 22-24. Over 90 researchers and industry members made presentations along with representatives from cotton, corn, treenuts, and dried fruits.
Forty-seven papers were presented over the three days with the closing dinner held at the Carter Center with Frank McGill giving the keynote speech. Comments were also heard from Darlene Cowart, Vice Chairman of the Peanut Foundation, and Howard Shapiro, renowned international plant breeder with Mars Incorporated.
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A sign language interpreter, braille transcripts or other special assistance can be provided upon request. Please contact Cindy Stickles at cstickles@peanutsusa.com or (703) 838-9500 if you require such services.
If you have special dietary needs or concerns, please contac Cindy Stickles at cstickles@peantususa.com or (703) 838-9500.
According to USDA Guidelines, this meeting does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation or marital or family status. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information should contact the APC. |