Two volumes of Genomics-Assisted Crop Improvement (GACI), edited by GCP's Subprogramme 2 Leader Rajeev Varshney and GCP project collaborator Roberto Tuberosa (University of Bologna) have recently been published by Springer. Volume I, entitled “Genomics Approaches and Platforms”, presents state-of-the-art genomic resources and platforms and also describes the strategies and approaches for effectively exploiting genomics research for crop improvement. Volume II, entitled “Genomics Applications in Crops”, presents a number of case studies of important crop and plant species that summarise both the achievements and limitations of genomics research for crop improvement.

More than 90 authors, including several GCP collaborators and together representing 16 countries from five continents, have contributed 16 chapters for Volume I and 18 chapters for Volume II. Each article shows how structural and/or functional genomics can improve our capacity to unveil and deploy natural and artificial allelic variation for the benefit of plant breeders. Editors Varshney and Tuberosa hope that these two volumes, while providing new ideas and opportunities to those working in crop breeding, will help graduate students and teachers to develop a better understanding of the applications of crop genomics to plant research and breeding.

More information

To learn of further publications produced by scientists involved in GCP projects, please visit our Research Publications page 

The Generation Challenge Programme is pleased to announce that the deadline for submission of applications for the 2008 Fellowship Programme has been extended to 29th February 2008 for the following six themes:

1. Data analysis of a network of field trials involving a population of recombinant inbred lines: dissecting the genotype x environment interaction
2. Studying the influence of genetic correlations between environments on the power to detect QTLs and QTLxE
3. The use of relatedness information in linkage disequilibrium mapping: pedigree information versus molecular marker information
4. Marker-based estimation of coancestry measures in genebank collections
5. Estimation of genetic parameters in autotetraploids
6. Data mining approach to assessing biotic constraints.

Applications are invited from developing country crop science researchers working in developing country research institutions wishing to broaden their skills by conducting research outside their home countries/institutions. Priority will be given to scientists already involved in GCP research projects.

Duration and scope:
Minimum of four months and a maximum of one year. Research proposals must be based on one of GCP’s four thematic Subprogrammes (1-4)

Eligibility: Minimum MSc, or equivalent, in a relevant subject area for the call

For details on the Programme and on how to apply, and to and to see the rest of our capacity-building calls, tools and activities , please visit our Fellowships homepage