ICRISAT's Center of Excellence in Genomics, supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, is pleased to announce its Eighth Training Course entitled “Application of Molecular Markers in Crop Improvement ” to be held during 8-19 November 2010 at the ICRISAT Campus at Patancheru, Greater Hyderabad, India. ICRISAT-CEG has already trained 160 scientists through organizing 7 training courses. Details about these courses and participants are available at http://www.icrisat.org/CEG/cegregistration.htm. The Eighth Training course is open to mainly Indian scientists however, few scientists from developing countries who have demonstrable ability to use the techniques taught can also apply. Selected Indian participants will be provided 2nd class AC train fare by the shortest route to/from ICRISAT, boarding and lodging at ICRISAT. Candidates selected from other developing countries will need to get the sponsorship from either their organization or some other funding agencies for their travel expenses and ICRISAT will be taking care of their boarding and lodging at ICRISAT campus during the course.

Course Rationale

To improve the precision and efficiency of plant breeding programs, there is a need that plant breeders have access to new tools and technology – molecular markers extensively used by plant breeders in developed and developing world for developing trait specific newer and betters crops. This course will help plant breeders to learn such techniques to integrate new tools into their crop improvement programs

Submit your application using the On-line Application Form. Applications will be accepted until 25 August 2010.

Course Outline

The overall theme of the course is application of molecular markers in crop improvement. The major focus in the course will be on analysis and the use of marker genotyping data rather than on data generation. Course will provide hands-on training on sample preparation and course participants will be trained on the experimental design and data analysis components of molecular markers, application of bioinformatics for crop improvement. Construction of genetic linkage maps, marker-trait association based on linkage mapping procedures and use of decision support systems in molecular breeding will have major emphasis in the course. In addition, participants will be exposed to the new advances in genomics, bioinformatics and modern breeding through lectures on topics like association genetics, next generation sequencing, marker-assisted recurrent selection, genomic selection and novel bioinformatics approaches.