During Mar. 2nd to Aug. 31st, 2017, invited by Wang Ning, an assistant professor in University of Tsukuba, Dr. Wang Xiaolei from Institute of Crop Sciences visited Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences in University of Tsukuba to participate a half-year collaborative investigation.

The research project was focused on “Genetic analysis of axillary bud suppressor 1 mutant in tomato”. During the academic visiting, Dr. Wang Xiaolei was involved in both high-throughput sequencing and classical genetics technology. By screening variation (SNPs, indels) information obtained from NGS (Next Generation Sequencing), she developed several molecular markers covering chromosome 1H – 11H. Then, she further did fine mapping and QTL analysis, and finally found a major QTL locus with an effect value of 43.3%. Additionally, Wang Xiaolei also participated in the analysis of a tomato pedicle mutant using the Mut-Map method, and got good results as well.

The half-year collaborative investigation not only improved Wang Xiaolei's experimental skill as well as classic genetic thinking, but also exercised her willpower and further improved her living skills.