Short Research Stage for Plant Biotechnologist and Breeders
Short research stay and Summer Institute in plant biotechnology and breeding
The Scholarships of the short research stay and Summer Institute in plant breeding and biotechnology are the fruit of a partnership between the Plant Breeding Centre from the University of Minnesota (USA) and the Plant Biotechnology and Breeding (Plant B+B) International thematic Network funded by the University of Ghent. The scholarships aim at enhancing the capacity of researchers in the field of plant breeding. This collaboration further seeks to connect scientists globally to promote scientific exchange and trans-continental research projects.
What do we offer? Hands-on experience + short courses
This one-month research visit will allow participants to learn more about plant breeding, biotechnology, and allied disciplines. Each participant will become familiar with the current research of a host professor and will participate in two courses at the 2022 Summer Institute in Plant Breeding held on the Saint Paul campus. We expect participants to apply what they have learned when they return to their home stations.
Who is our target audience?
We seek three postdocs or senior scientists—from within the Plant B+B network—with experience in plant breeding and some background in one or more of the following modules that will be covered in the Summer Institute:
- Data analysis for genomic prediction in plant breeding
- Machine learning applied to plant science
- Polyploid genomics
- Genomewide markers in plant breeding
- Applied plant genomics and bioinformatics
Feedback from our beneficiaries
Three female senior scientists from sub-Saharan Africa participated in our joint program with UM in the Plant Breeding Summer Course. You can see their testimonies here.
Hosting Labs at University of Minessota
Applicants of the Short Research Stage Grants for Plant Biotechnologists and Breeders can be hosted in one of the labs from the Professors listed below. Candidates must indicate in their applications how the research conducted in the selected laboratory at the University of Minnesota is complementary to the line of research of the applicant fellow. Also the expected outcomes from participating in the short research stay and Summer Institute, detailing the specific ways the short research and Summer Institute would benefit the candidate’s work upon returning to the home country.
Professor Jim Anderson Lab
Breeding and Genetics of Spring Wheat, Intermediate wheatgrass, and Field pennycress
Professor Adrian Hegeman Lab
We are working to make mass spectrometry approaches accessible for linking observable macroscopic properties of living systems to their molecular underpinnings in order to generate new insights into plant biology and plant derived products.
Professor Candy Hirsch Lab
The research in the Hirsch lab is centred on translational genomics in maize. Our research involves the integration of big data including high throughput genome and transcriptome sequencing, high throughput phenotyping, and extensive environmental measurements with the end goal of improving corn as a crop plant.
Professor Cory Hirsch Lab
The interests of the lab include understanding genomic and expression variation within species and associating this variation with precision phenotyping to understand abiotic and biotic stress response in plants.
Professor Jenny Kimball Lab
The work of the research group is centered on wild rice (Zizania palustris) as a cultivated crop as well as a natural resource in the state of Minnesota. Our research program focuses on 1) investigating the genetic and physiological bases of quantitative traits in wild rice and 2) evaluating and monitoring the genetic diversity and changing environment of natural stands of wild rice in Minnesota to ensure their protection and preservation.
Professor Aaron Lorenz Lab
Soybean Breeding and Genetics.
Professor Jim Luby Lab
Apple breeding, DNA-informed breeding. The primary goal of his research team is to develop, evaluate, and introduce fruit cultivars with horticultural, disease and pest resistance, and fruit quality characters desired by growers and consumers in Minnesota and surrounding areas. The breeding programs concentrate on apple and berries. Research aims to determine the inheritance of these traits and, where appropriate, map important loci using molecular markers for use in marker-assisted breeding.
Professor Peter Morrell Lab
Computational Biology,Evolutionary genetics, plant evolution. Our lab is focused on genetic variation in plants. Two major areas of emphasis include the impact of domestication on patterns of polymorphism in domesticated species and the contribution of recombination to genetic variation and patterns of linkage disequilibrium.
Professor Laura Shannon Lab
Increasing our understanding of potato genomics, diversity, and evolution; Developing and applying methods to speed the potato breeding process; Breeding new potato cultivars for four distinct market classes with increased resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and enhanced nutrition and quality traits, which require fewer inputs (fertilizer, pesticides, irrigation, etc.)
Professor Kevin Smith Lab
The lab is officially recognized as the barley breeding and genetics group, however we now conduct breeding experiments on three plants species:Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.); Silphium (Silphium integrifolium Michx.); Oat (Avena sativa L.). The research foci are just as diverse as the list of species we work on. Projects cover many various topics, including genomewide selection, agronomics, mapping and dissection of genetic loci and exploration of genetic diversity.