Recognizing the importance of and the growing interest in genomics, bioinformatics and molecular techniques in breeding activities, SEAMEO BIOTROP conducted a national training course on Application of Molecular Markers and Gene Discovery in Molecular Breeding on 25-29 October 2013 in its headquarter in Bogor, Indonesia.

Thirty-six researchers, lecturers, and graduate students from various universities and research institutions in Indonesia acquired knowledge, through lecture-discussions, on the concepts and principles of molecular breeding and marker application, molecular mechanism of abiotic stress, QTL mapping, association mapping, genetic engineering and gene expression, and introduction on using RT-PCR.  They also underwent practical exercises on RNA and cDNA analysis, gene expression with RT-PCR, phenotype analysis, and selection of phenotypes against abiotic stress, as well as running genetics software such as PopGene, GenAlex, NTSys, Structure, and PowerMaker.

Course lecturers and  facilitators were Prof. Dr. Sonny Suharsono, Prof. Dr. Sobir, Dr. Willy Bayuardi, Dr. Utut W. Suharsono, Dr. Nurul Khumaida, Dr. Sintho W. Ardie, Dr. Deni Noviana from Bogor Agricultural University; Dr. Ulfah Siregar from  SEAMEO BIOTROP; and  Dr. Marwan Diapari from the  Plant Sciences Department, University of Saskatchewan, Canada.  Dr. Siregar served as the course coordinator. (YK/JF)