GFPi conference
The year 2022 celebrates a historical discovery in the field of genetics because it marks the 200th birthday of the “father of modern genetics”, Gregor Mendel. Even though Mendel is famous for its experiments on pea plants his discovery of segregation resulting in the infamous “Mendel’s Laws” was and still is one of the cornerstones of modern plant breeding and genetics. Therefore, this years GFPi conference was marked by Gregor Mendel’s 200th birthday and his influence on modern genetics.
Due to climate change and resulting severe weather conditions the development of adapted crops is more important now than ever which led to the invitation of Dr. Sophia Sonnewald and Dr. Stephan Reinert of the chair of biochemistry to this years GFPi conference to present their research on abiotic stress resistance in potato. For this, Dr. Stephan Reinert, group leader of the Biocomputing lab, and Alexander Kaier, PhD Candidate in the Biocomputing lab, presented the results of the research conducted at the chair of biochemistry where they use bioinformatic, molecular biological, and biochemical methods to better understand the effects of abiotic stresses such as heat and drought on modern potato cultivars and how to use this knowledge to improve potato.
The exchange with the other scientists and potato breeders was very enlightened and may lead to new collaborations on abiotic resistance research in potato.