Who is organising the workshop? And how is the workshop being organised at the IPK?

The Chinese-German Centre is funding the three-day workshop in Gatersleben for the Promotion of Science (CDZ). The Centre is a joint institution of the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

In addition to the IPK, the workshop is organised by the James Hutton Institute (JHI) and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science (CAAS). The first workshop was held in China in April 2024 - and the current event at the IPK is the continuation. 

What are the challenges for science? And what is the goal?

Technological advances have made it possible to sequence an ever-increasing number of plant genomes in recent years. For example, we at the IPK have been instrumental in decoding the genomes of wheat, barley, oats and rye. The task now is to transfer this knowledge into practical breeding. The aim must be to use genome-based breeding to develop crops more resistant to changing environmental conditions.

So, is the workshop intended to build bridges for breeding?

Exactly! Our workshop will focus on the latest advances in translating genome research into practical field applications in barley, wheat, rye and their respective wild relatives. But we are far from there yet. More basic research is needed to understand the complex genetic structures of traits such as yield and flowering time. 

What is this about specifically?

We need a better and more comprehensive understanding of gene regulation and the interaction of individual genes. We should also combine genome data and phenotyping data for targeted breeding interventions.   

What topics are on the workshop agenda?

We have a total of seven topics. It's about evolutionary approaches, genome research, bioinformatics, developmental biology, new breeding techniques and biotic and abiotic stress. In addition, five selected success stories will be presented in a block on the second day, including one by my colleague and co-organiser Ping Yang.

Areas such as genome research have been established for years. However, one lecture will also focus on new AI models for gene regulation networks. What are the expectations?

Runxuan Zhang, who is giving this lecture, is an expert in gene expression. I am curious to see how he will use AI models or what he will say about them. As with all the other talks, I'll be surprised and look forward to it. 

Where are the speakers coming from?

The speakers are mainly from the three partner institutions organising the workshop. However, we have also attracted some selected international scientists as keynote speakers. These include Chengdao Li, Hiroshi Hisano and Maria von Korff. The latter is well known to us from the CEPLAS Cluster of Excellence. 

Who is there from the IPK?

Nils Stein is also a keynote speaker and will give an introduction to the IPK before his presentation. Laura Dixon, Robert Hoffie, Stefan Heckmann, and Yongyu Huang will present their research.

With 26 presentations in three days, the programme is very dense and tightly timed. Each speaker only has 25 minutes. Is there any time left for discussion?

Yes, the 25 minutes include five to ten minutes for discussion after each presentation. We also have enough time for discussion during the breaks. 

What else will there be besides the presentations?

After the welcome and the first two blocks, we will have dinner together in the casino on the first day. On the second day, we will show the participants two of our most important research infrastructures at the IPK: the Federal Ex situ Genebank and the PhenoSphere. The third day will conclude with a guided tour of Quedlinburg. 

What do you personally expect from this event?

As with the first event in China in 2024, I look forward to an intensive exchange with colleagues. Of course, this is about making new contacts and possible scientific collaborations in further basic research projects on crops.