A SYMPOSIUM ON DIVERSITY FOR BREEDING 14 - 15TH DEC.05

NIAB, HUNTINGDON ROAD, CAMBRIDGE, UK

Programme | Registration | How to get here | Accommodation

Introduction
This two day symposium will investigate new opportunities to exploit crop genomes as a source of novel alleles for plant breeding. It will provide a timely opportunity to inspire and stimulate renewed interest in this topic that will underpin both national and international initiatives and imperatives.

The meeting will start on Wednesday 14th Dec at 13:00 with Dani Zamir from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, speaking on how unused natural variation can lift yield barriers in plant breeding. Day 2 will start at 9:00 with Prof Susan McCouch from Cornell University speaking on seed banks and genomics: natural partners.

Background
Recent developments in plant science are spectacular and have the potential to address many of the nutritional, health and environmental challenges facing mankind. Although it is widely recognised that plant-based processes can offer truly sustainable solutions, the complete spectrum of genetic variability available to plant breeders is not always fully exploited.

Pre-existing natural sources of biodiversity, coupled with accurate phenotyping, can enrich the genetic basis of cultivated crops with novel alleles that have the potential to improve productivity and adaptation to a range of environments.

'Diversity for Breeding' will provide case studies of how novel sources of alleles have been discovered and efficiently introgressed into adapted germplasm based on 'genomic knowledge' of crops and their wild relatives. The Symposium will also address how the UK's public investment in plant and crop genomics can be used to unleash the genetic potential of our wild and cultivated germplasm resources for the benefit of society.

Programme

DIVERSTIY FOR BREEDING SYMPOSIUM

PROGRAMME

Wednesday, 14 December 2005

Welcome: Wayne Powell (NIAB)

Session 1: Exploiting Novel Sources of Diversity
Chair: Andy Greenland (NIAB)

1.00-2.00 Unused Natural Variation Can Lift Yield Barriers in Plant Breeding
Speaker: Dani Zamir, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

2.00-3.00 Re-Domestication of the Wheat Crop: Impact on Global Wheat Breeding
Speaker: Jonathan Crouch/Richard Trethowan, (to be confirmed), CIMMYT, Mexico

3.00-3.30 AFTERNOON TEA

3:30-4.05 How to date your correct partner
Speaker: Graham Moore, John Innes Centre

4.05-4.40 Why Do We Need Wheat Pre-Breeding in the UK?
Speaker: Tom Joliffe, Advanta Seeds

4.40-5.30 'Collaborative Cross Populations' - A New Resource for Breeders and Biotechnologists
Speaker: Jacques David, INRA, Montpellier, France

5.30-7.00 Poster Session and Drinks

Thursday, 15 December 2005

Session 2: Diversity Studies in Current and Historical Germplasm
Chair: John Snape (JIC)

9.00-10.00 Seed Banks and Genomics: Natural Partners
Speaker: Susan McCouch, Cornell University, USA

10.00-11.00 The Impact of Domestication on Genetic Diversity of Cereals
Speaker: Francesco Salamini, Polo University, Italy

11.00-11.30 MORNING TEA

Session 3: Genetic Improvement in the UK
Chair:

11.30-12.30 A Co-ordinated Approach to Crop Improvement in the UK
Speakers: Noel Ellis, John Innes Centre; Kim Hammond-Kosack, Graham King, Angela Karp, Rothamsted Research

12.30-1.00 Climate Change and Sustainability: What Can Plant Breeding Offer?
Speaker: Defra Representative from Sustainable Agriculture and Livestock Products, Defra, UK

1.00-2.00 LUNCH

Session 4: WORKSHOP: 'Future diversity for breeding: the way forward'

2.00-3.45 Leaders: Chris Gilligan, University of Cambridge Tina Barsby, Biogemma UK Ltd
John MacLeod/Mike Gale/Gordon Conway (to be confirmed)

3.45 AFTERNOON TEA & CLOSE

Registration

To register for the 'Diversity for Breeding' Symposium please print and complete the form.

Registration fee: £100 incl. VAT.
Please note that registration does not include accommodation.

Completed registration forms should be sent to the attention of Mary McPhee either by fax to +44 (0) 1223 277 602 or by post to NIAB, Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0LE.

Print Registration Form

How to get here

Accommodation

Accommodation closest to NIAB

Cambridge Lodge - http://www.a1tourism.com/uk/cambridge-1.html
Acorn Guest House - http://www.acornguesthouse.co.uk/
Antony's B & B - http://www.visitcambridge.org/visitors/accommodation_details.php?id=10
Archway House Bed & Breakfast - http://www.visitcambridge.org/visitors/accommodation_details.php?id=35
Arundel House Hotels - http://www.arundelhousehotels.co.uk/
Avalon Bed & Breakfast - http://www.visitcambridge.org/visitors/accommodation_details.php?id=195
Ashley Hotel - http://www.arundelhousehotels.co.uk/page15.html
Felix Hotel - http://www.hotelfelix.co.uk/
Benson House - http://www.theaa.com/hotels/46044p.html

Other Cambridge accommodation

De-Vere University Arms Hotel - http://www.devereonline.co.uk/jdevere.htm?http://www.devereonline.co.uk/hotel_university/
Gonville Hotel - http://www.gonvillehotel.co.uk/
Hamilton Hotel - http://www.hamiltonhotelcambridge.co.uk/about.htm
Lensfield Hotel - http://www.lensfieldhotel.co.uk/
Lynwood House - http://www.lynwood-house.co.uk/
Regency Guest House - http://www.regencyguesthouse.co.uk/
Regent Hotel - http://www.regenthotel.co.uk/findus.html
Southampton Guest House - http://www.southamptonguesthouse.com/
The Green House - http://homepage.ntlworld.com/sarah.peake/

Accommodation outside the city (own vehicle transport required/recommended)

Cambridgeshire Moat House - http://www.moathousehotels.com/
Hotel Inn Cambridge - http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/925/en/home
Travelodge Cambridge Swavesey - https://www.travelodge.co.uk/find_a_hotel/hotel/hotel_id/20/CambridgeSwavesey
Sleep Inn Cambridge - http://www.hotels-cambridge.com/

For more accommodation http://www.visitcambridge.org/visitors/wheretostay.php?submit=true&cat_id=5