Prof. Hong LUO, a distinguished expert in the field of crop biotechnology especially in turfgrass molecular breeding, was invited to the “International Expert Forum”  where he spoke about “Crop Biotechnology-Trait Modification, Gene Containment, Gene Discovery and Genomic Tool Development in Perennial Grasses”. 

Prof. LUO, from the Department of Genetics and Biochemistry at the Clemson University, US, has made some important breakthroughs in the research of identification and functional characterization of genes involved in plant biotic and abiotic stress, gene containment strategies preventing transgene escape from transgenic perennials, and “clean” transgenic technologies. 

The host of the forum was the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT) and the host of the lecture was Prof. FU Chunxiang, group leader of Crop Molecular Breeding Group of QIBEBT on Dec 1. Prof. LUO presented examples of turfgrassgenetic improvement by using biotechnology approaches and shared his experiences with researchers at QIBEBT.  

The visit is expected to enhance the collaboration of scientific research and graduate student education between the Clemson University and QIBEBT in future. 

The “International Expert Forum” was launched by QIBEBT in 2013 with the aim of strengthening academic communication with well-known international scientists and improving the research and innovation expertise via international cooperation.