Delegation from the institute of crop science including Dr. Shu Qingyao, Shi Chunhai, Fan Longjiang, Huang Jianzhong and Zeng Fanrong, visited Singapore Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory from Mar 17 to 18, 2015.
During the visiting, Prof. Shu held a seminar on his group’s recent research on epigenetic mutation in rice; the seminar attracted about 50 audience and stimulated active discussions. The delegation exchanged views with Dr. Yu Hao, the executive director, and Dr. Ji Lianghui, Yin Zhongchao, senior principal investigators of the institute and discussed the possibilities for scientific collaboration in the future. They also visited research core facilities including the artificial climate room for paddy rice growth.
After leaving Singapore on Mar 18, the delegation went to Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia to attend the 2nd Plant Genomics Congress: Asia from Mar 19 to 21, 2015. The meeting drew more than 200 researchers from all over the world with oral and poster presentations focusing on aspects such as molecular marker development, breeding, crop/trait improvement, disease/stress resistance, as well as issues in agriculture and national food security in Asia and possible functions of plant genomics in solving such issues. Prof. Shu delivered a speech titled “Epigenetic mutation down-regulates Genomes Uncoupled 4 and generates a Xantha marker trait in rice”.
