The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), Ludhiana Chapter in association with The Crop Improvement Society of India, Ludhiana organized a special lecture on "Genome Editing Enables Crop Improvement” at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). Dr Bing Yang, Professor from the Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, USA, was a guest speaker. Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Convener, NAAS-Ludhiana Chapter and Director of Research, PAU, presided over the event which was attended by NAAS Fellows, officers of the University, scientists and students from various departments.

Dr Bing Yang, while interacting with the students and faculty members, highlighted that genome editing tools could have significant impact, enabling scientists to improve resilience to existing and emerging diseases and pests as well as extreme weather conditions. With the availability of sequences of many plant genomes, technologies for genome editing have become the most promising and popular tools for scientists to understand such complex genomes as well as precisely and quickly manipulate genes for food and nutritional traits, observed he. The lecture was followed by vibrant discussion among the speaker, faculty and students on key aspects of genome editing tools.

Dr Dhatt, in his remarks, apprised the audience of genome editing technologies that allowed precise, targeted genomic changes and held immense promise for defining the genetic and molecular basis for valuable traits as well as the manipulation of valuable genes/traits into cultivated varieties in a timely and economically sound manner. Dr Dhatt said that genome editing was one area which exemplified PAU’s commitment to open innovation and collaborative partnerships that combined expertise to accelerate the discovery and development of agricultural solutions.

Earlier, Dr (Mrs) Parveen Chhuneja, Treasurer, NAAS-Ludhiana Chapter, welcomed the guest speaker, dignitaries and the participants.

Later, Dr Gaurav Kumar Taggar, Coordinator, NAAS-Ludhiana Chapter, proposed a vote of thanks.

Dr Abhishek Sharma, Co-Coordinator, NAAS-Ludhiana Chapter, coordinated the programme.