110th birthday of Professor Abram Kameraz
December 22, 2014 is the date when the Vavilov Institute celebrates the 110th birthday of Professor Abram Kameraz (1904-1991), one of the leading scientists in the field of potato research and breeding. He was among the group of researchers who congregated around Nikolai Vavilov. Although he was not a geneticist proper, he nevertheless was the author of a number of famous potato cultivars adapted to the environments of the northwestern Russia. He was a prominent breeder, especially interested in remote hybridization.
Visit of Japanese colleagues from the NARO Agricultural Research Center
On October 20, 2015 Japanese colleagues from the NARO Agricultural Research Center will lead the meeting entitled VIROIDS AND VIRUSES AFFECTING POTATO AND OTHER SOLANACEAE CROPS. The planned presentations are:
Viroid resistance and production of viroid-free plants (Dr. Yosuke Matsushita, viroid researcher).
Breeding of pest and disease resistant cultivars of potato in Japan (Dr. Kenji Asano, potato disease and breeding researcher).
Studying genetic diversity of the VIR potato collection on its resistance to pathogens (Dr. Stepan Kiru, Head/Tuber Crop Genetic Resources Dept., VIR).
This workshop will also be attended by Dr. Shinya Tsuda, virus researcher, Team leader, and Mr. Hirinobu Yanagisawa, virus and viroid researcher.
All interested parties are heartily invited.
Vavilov International School Week for Young Scientists
On March 15-21, 2015 the Vavilov Institute announces the Vavilov International School Week for Young Scientists entitled PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES AND THEIR UTILIZATION IN CROP BREEDING PRACTICE. The classes will be conducted by the leading scientists of VIR and curators of crop genetic resources collections as well as scientific researchers from the related institutions. Lectures and workshops will be dedicated to the following topics:
- Plant genetic resources (PGR): the need of their collecting, conservation and studying.
- PGR diversity (botanical, molecular, biochemical and other aspects).
- Studying the source material for crop breeding with the use of a set of field and laboratory-based genetic diversity screening methods.
- Searching for and development of sources and donors according to such traits as yield, adaptability and quality.
- Using statistical techniques and computer analysis for collecting, storage and interpretation of the data and results of field and laboratory-based PGR research.
- Modern methods of plant germplasm conservation in the genebank system.
Сonference for doctoral students and young scientists of the North-Western region of Russia
On April 14-15, 2015 the Vavilov Institute will host a scientific conference for doctoral students and young scientists of the North-Western region of Russia. The main topic is PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES AND THEIR UTILIZATION IN CROP BREEDING PRACTICE. The following subtopics will be covered:
- Researching plant genetic resources with the purpose of providing breeding practice with valuable source materials.
- Modern methods of plant genetic diversity evaluation according to the most important biological and economic characters.
- Introduction of new crops into cultivation.
- Conservation, maintenance and utilization of plant genetic resources.
A lecture by Dr. Eduard Kolchinsky at a Vavilov Workshop
On December 10, 2015 the Vavilov Institute invited Dr. Eduard Kolchinsky to present his lecture NEO-LYSENKOISM IN THE 21TH CENTURY: THE VIEW OF A HISTORIAN OF SCIENCE. The lecture is dedicated to the movement against false theories aimed against plant genetics and Vavilov’s fundamental ideas.
