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ACGT partners and affiliate (the University of Limpopo)
once again gathered for a day of research and networking under the
auspice of the 4th ACGT Regional Plant Biotechnology Forum. The forum
was held on the 20th of October 2011, at the ARC head office in
Hatfield, Pretoria. The event was graciously sponsored by Whitehead
Scientific. Hosts, the ARC, made available their auditorium for a day
dedicated to current research in the area of plant biotechnology.
Members of the SABINA (Southern African Biochemistry and Informatics
for Natural Products) network attended the forum as part of their
four-day training workshop being held at in South Africa at the time of
the forum. Dr Shadrack Moephuli (President and CEO- ARC), Prof Mohammed
Jeena (Director of Research and Development- ARC) and Mr Motlatjo
Makaepea (Director of Technology Development- GDARD) were also in
attendance.
With over 90 delegates present, the day got underway
with a welcome by Dr Jasper Rees (Head of the ARC’s Biotechnology
Platform). UP professor, and ARC specialist scientist, Gerhard
Pietersen, presented his current work on members of the Closteroviradae
affecting grapevine and citrus. Other featured research included
Eucalyptus gene assembly (Dr Charles Hefer-
UP) and molecular
characterisation of elicitor-responsive genes in cotton (Dr Sonia
Phillips- UP). Prof Bongani Ndimba presented a talk on the ARC’s new
proteomics service unit. Mr Fidel Tugizamama also presented current
research, being conducted at UJ biochemistry under the supervision of
Prof Ian Dubery, describing ergosterol induced metabolic changes in
Tabacco cells. In addition fifteen student posters were also showcased
during tea and the afternoon poster session.
Incorporating suggestions put forward by participants at
the 3rd ACGT Regional Plant Biotechnology Forum, student presentations
(both oral and posters) as wells as presentations on intellectual
property rights (IP) were included in the day’s proceedings. Mr At van
Rooy (DM Kisch Inc) and Ms Chyreene Truluck (TIA) both enlightened the
audience on commercialisation and IP protection in relation to plant
biotechnology. Considering the substantial growth in attendance,
especially the increasing student participation in the forum as well as
the coverage of a wide range of topics, some of which scientists
wouldn’t normally be exposed to in their field, the forum can indeed be
considered successful.
The next forum will be held in April/May 2012 at the
University of the Witwatersrand. Keep an eye on “Upcoming events” on
the ACGT website for further information on the event. For more
information or enquiries, contact Dr
John Becker, Ms Jessika Samuels or
Mr
Mandisi Sithole.
Download presentations from the forum:
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Delegates from the
ARC and UL who attended fourth regional plant biotechnology forum |
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Dr Bridget Crampton (UP) Ms
Jeanne Korsman (UP) Dr Sonia Phillips (UP) and Prof Ian Dubery (UJ)
(from left to right) |
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Delegate and poster presenter Katrin Fritza (UP) during poster session (from left t right). |
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