Hybrid workskop event in Sfax, Tunisia. Organized by Prof. Moez Hanin. Guest lecture on CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in crops.

The 1st AAB-PlantEd Training School will offer theoretical and practical training on effectively conducting targeted plant mutagenesis. This will encompass gRNA selection, vector
construction, isolation of immature barley embryos, protoplast isolation, and methods for mutant selection, including PCR/RE and T7EI assays. Furthermore, distinguished scientists
(Laurens Pauwels, Ghent University; Katrijn van Laere, ILVO; Sadiye Hayta and Mark Smedley, John Innes Centre) will lecture on the subject and its applications. AAB (https://www.aab.org.uk), CEPLAS (https://www.ceplas.eu/en/home/), and the German Society for Plant Biotechnology e.V. (https://www.pflanzen-biotechnologie.de/english-1/)
provide logistical and financial support for the conference.

Lecture at CRISPR-Cas-based genome editing technologies for crop  improvement (Sfax, Tunisia) entitled "Evaluation of Transgenerational Gene Editing 
Efficiency and Inheritance of Edits in Zea mays".

This presentation features Prof. Laurens Pauwels and Prof. Steven Runo, leading experts in plant biotechnology and molecular biology. Prof. Pauwels, from Ghent University, specializes in CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and Agrobacterium engineering, enhancing transformation methods for crops like maize and wheat. Prof. Runo, from Kenyatta University, focuses on developing Striga-resistant sorghum using molecular genetics and breeding technologies, significantly improving food security in Africa. Together, they discuss Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of cereals for Striga resistance, bridging cutting-edge scientific research with practical agricultural applications.

https://www.ugent.be/bw/biotechnology/en/news-events/news/ipbo_cafe_march_2025

In Gent stond iets meer dan veertig jaar geleden de wieg van de biotechnologie. Professoren Schell en Van Montagu ontdekten een mechanisme van genentransfer door Agrobacterium tumefaciens en konden zo nieuwe kenmerken inbouwen in planten. We spraken met twee van hun (intellectuele) nazaten: professor Laurens Pauwels van UGent en Katrijn Van Laere van ILVO, over de mogelijkheden van CRISPR-Cas, een verfijnde techniek om het genetisch materiaal van planten aan te passen.

https://www.avbs.be/actualiteit/nieuwe-genetische-technieken-kunnen-veredeling-versnellen

Board member for the 2025 reporting period of the project Genome Engineering to Sustain Crop Improvement (GETSCI), RII Track-2 FEC, led by Michael Muszynski (University of Hawaii).

Membership

External PhD supervisor Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf of Chuenban Pichaporn on Development of resources for the interaction between plants and fungi  with Prof. Andreas Weber and Dr. Goetz Hensl.

Hosting for a month of a PhD student from Kenyatta U, Kenia via IPBO and Plant B+B project.