Cassava is an important crop in South China. To improve the national research level of cassava biotechnology and breeding, we will organize a joint 3-week-course on cassava biotechnology and marker-assisted breeding in Shanghai and Hainan.

The course covers:
1) Cassava somatic embryogenesis and shoot organogenesis;
2) Current genetic transformation system in cassava;
3) Molecular analysis of transgenic cassava plants;
4) Molecular markers and marker-assisted breeding in cassava;
and 5) Cassava wild-cross hybridization and novel variety screening. The course is supported by NIDECO, ETH Zurich and CIAT Colombia.

Course organizers:
Prof. Peng Zhang, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology (SIPPE), SIBS, CAS, Shanghai
Prof. Wenquan Wang, Institute of Tropical Biociences and Biotechnology (ITBB), CATAS, Haikou
Prof. Kaiming Li, Institute of Tropical Crops Genetic Resources (ITCGR), CATAS. Danzhou
Prof. Hernan Ceballos, CIAT, Colombia

International Advisors:
Prof. Wilhelm Gruissem, Institute of Plant Science, ETH Zurich
Dr. Barbara Becker, Swiss Centre for International Agriculture (ZIL), Zurich

Participants:
Cassava breeders, biotechnologists, students and researchers who have an interest in cassava

Contacts:
1. Ms. Haixia Li, Group of Biotechnology for Cassava and Sweetpotato Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology (SIPPE), SIBS, CAS, Shanghai
Email: lihaixia@sibs.ac.cn
Tel: 021-54924097
2. Prof. Wenquan Wang, Institute of Tropical Biociences and Biotechnology (ITBB), CATAS, Haikou
Email: wquanw@hainan.net
Tel: 0898-6689 4533