GCP News

Issue 43--January 2010 In this issue of GCP News we start the year off with a bang as we update you on a whole host of news items concerning our people, our projects and our plans for the year ahead. Highlights include updates of interest to banana and cassava researchers, a GCP vacancy announcement and an award to our SP2 Leader. We also inform you about an array of events in the 1st quarter of our 2010 calendar, plus more from our partners, including a competitive call for proposals. Announcements From GCP 1. GCP’s 3rd Call for GSS proposals–Deadline extended For reasons outlined in our recent announcement, the deadline for submission of proposals for GCP’s 3rd Call for Genotyping Support Service proposals has been extended to 17th January 2010. More 2. Recruitment–GCP seeks Communications Assistant The GCP Communications Unit has a vacancy for a Communications Assistant. The role entails a variety of communications and public relations functions within the organisation, involving writing and editing for both print and electronic media. Deadline for applications: 20th January 2010. More 3. GCP SP2 Leader recognised for scientific contribution through Fellowship award GCP Subprogramme 2 Leader Rajeev Varshney was the proud recipient of an award from the highly esteemed National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), India, having been named Fellow of the academy, effective 1 January 2010. Congratulations, Rajeev! More 4. GCP cassava researchers to reap benefits from completion of draft genome sequence Ongoing research under GCP’s Cassava Challenge Initiative is set for a boost following the recent completion of the first draft of the cassava (Manihot esculenta) genome sequence by a team of researchers – an achievement which has led to a grant of US$1.3 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to the University of Arizona to support subsequent research activities. More 5. GCP hosts workshop at PAG XVIII A group of GCP scientists joined forces at the recent Plant & Animal Genome Conferences (PAG) XVIII in San Diego, California, to host a GCP workshop on 11th January 2010. More 6. GCP-funded project featured in French press A partially GCP-funded project on banana genome sequencing received attention recently in wide circulation magazine Biofutur. More. 7. GCP gets set for an interesting first quarter! We’re in for a busy year in 2010! GCP staff and collaborators brace themselves for the business of the new year with preparations at full throttle for the following GCP events: GCP Molecular Breeding Platform (MBP) launch workshop, 17–20 February 2010, Hyderabad, India Informatics workshop for users of the MBP, 22–24 February 2010, Hyderabad, India Indian Wheat Challenge Initiative launch workshop, 22–23 February 2010, New Delhi, India Chinese Wheat Challenge Initiative launch workshop, 25–26 February 2010, Beijing, China Genomic application: Molecular breeding in developing countries (a parallel session to be hosted by the GCP Director and forming part of FAO's Agricultural biotechnologies in developing countries conference), Guadalajara, Mexico, 2nd March 2010. More on FAO conference. Details on these and other events are available on our Meetings & Events webpage, and results and outcomes will be made available in due course. Events and opportunities from GCP’s network of collaborators and beyond Opportunities 8. RUFORUM Community Action Research Programme–Call for proposals RUFORUM Community Action Research Programme (CARP) is seeking concept notes for a competitive call. Deadline: 15th February 2010. More Upcoming events Reminder! Applications of bioinformatics in plant breeding course, April 2010 (Deadline for application: 25th January 2010) . More 52nd Maize Genetics Conference Dates: 18–21 March 2010 Location: Riva del Garda, Italy Early application deadline (for reduced fees): 29th January 2010 Target: Plant genetic researchers with knowledge and/or interest in maize genetics More 2nd International Symposium on Genomics of Plant Genetic Resources Dates: 24–27 April 2010 Location: Bologna, Italy Early application deadline (for reduced fees): 28th February 2010 (Abstracts due on 15th February 2010). Target: Plant genomics and genetics researchers from all sectors (public institutes/industry/students /young scientists) More Plant Breeding for Drought Tolerance Course and Symposium Dates: 14–25 June 2010 for course; 24–25 June for Symposium Venue: Colorado State University, USA Early application deadline (for reduced fees): 1st February 2010 for course; 1st April 2010 for Symposium Target: For course: Graduate students in the plant sciences, as well as professionals in the public and private sectors. For symposium: Professionals and graduate students with a background and/or interest in plant breeding research See more details on course and symposium Vth International Congress on Legume Genetics and Genomics (ICLGG) Dates: 2–8 July 2010 Location: Pacific Grove, California, USA. Early application deadline (for reduced fees): 1st April 2010 Target: Researchers working on fundamental aspects of legume biology in model species, using genetic and genomic tools, as well as those working on applied aspects and breeding of crop and pasture species. More 14th International Biotechnology Symposium Dates: 14–18 September 2010 Location: Rimini, Italy Early application deadline (for reduced fees): 31st May 2010; Abstract submission deadline: 1st March 2010 Target: Biotechnology professionals from different scientific disciplines More GCP warmly invites your feedback and comments at GenerationCP-News@cgiar.org For previous issues of GCP News, see http://www.generationcp.org/enewsletter.php Should you wish to terminate your subscription to GCP News at any time, please send a blank email to gcpnews-leave@lists.cgiar.org If you received this newsletter as a forward and would like to subscribe directly to GCP News, please go to http://lists.cgiar.org/mailman/listinfo/gcpnews

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