From the field to the molecular biology lab and back: application oriented basic science for development

An IRRI Seminar

By Ajay Kohli
Senior Scientist
Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology (PBGB)
IRRI

​​​26 November 2015
1:15-2:15 p.m.
Havener Auditorium
IRRI

Abstract:

Institutes with the mandate of impact on socio-economic development have largely been uncertain about the extent of involvement with upstream basic science. This is not least because most such institutes are at locations where cutting edge upstream tools and technologies are difficult to procure, standardize and vet. IRRI’s leadership in bringing field proven QTLs to be dissected in the molecular labs has been a game changing model for the relevance of molecular biology to downstream applications. Success at this end of the spectrum has provided the motivation to invest in molecular biology to be performed on relevant plants and populations that will have a much higher chance of success in the field. How the Plant Molecular Biology Lab at IRRI has had success at either end of the spectrum in the last 7 years will be elaborated in this seminar. It will close with a view on the role of some emerging technologies on the future of crop science research for development.