2019 ASHS Annual Conference

1. To obtain current knowledge and tools available for improving horticulture crops using CRISPR-mediated genome editing
2. To overview recent advances in CRISPR-mediated genome editing in horticultural crops breeding via case studies
3. To determine the biotechnological challenges and limitations in using genome editing in cultivar development
4. To discuss future deployment of genome editing technology in increasing disease resistance and horticultural qualities
5. To discuss current rules and regulations and future perspectives on using CRISPR-genome editing in developing new cultivars

Description:

This workshop will be primarily focused on the use of CRISPR genome editing in horticultural crops. It will cover the prospective, challenges, opportunities and current status and future of using this technology in diverse set of horticultural crops. There will be talks ranging from technological development (protocol development) to status and future sighting of regulatory measures that will determine the application of this technology in horticultural industry in coming days. There is an excellent list of speakers ranging from specialties in diploid to polyploid crops, homozygous to highly heterozygous and outcrossing species, from annuals to perennials and USDA Biotechnology Regulatory Services. With recent developments in this technology, there will be information on CRISPR-genome editing for wide range of horticultural crops including regulatory aspects of the technology.

At the end of the workshop, there will be a 15-minute panel discussion which will address questions from the audience and provide
networking opportunities between speakers and audience. The discussion will highlight on how can this technology be applied in wide range of horticultural crops with limited genomic information and how can new cultivars be developed and available for commercial production using CRISPR-genome editing.