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Schatz Center hosts 2015 annual meeting of The American Chestnut Foundation

Posted: June 26, 2016

The Schatz Center for Tree Molecular Genetics and the Penn State Mont Alto Schatz Tree Genetics Colloquium had the honor of hosting the Fall 2015 annual meeting of The American Chestnut Foundation on the theme “Integrating Genomics Tools in American Chestnut Restoration.”
Keynote address by Dr. Ron Sederoff at the 2015 TACF annual meeting

Keynote address by Dr. Ron Sederoff at the 2015 TACF annual meeting

The Schatz Center for Tree Molecular Genetics successfully hosted the 2015 annual meeting of The American Chestnut Foundation® (TACF) on OCTOBER 23 - 24, 2015 at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, State College, PA.  TACF and the Schatz Tree Genetics Colloquium partnered to provide TACF members with a unique state-of-the-art learning opportunity entitled "Integrating Genomics Tools in American Chestnut Restoration".  

Scientists from around the world presented he latest research related to chestnut genomics including genome sequencing, genetic mapping, marker-assisted selection techniques, as well as historical overview of the development of molecular genetics, genomics, and biotechnology capabilities in forest tree species. The event included hands-on learning opportunities as well, including a DNA extraction lab exercise, a bioinformatics workshop on how to use the chestnut genome browser, and an open panel discussion with genomics experts.

The event also featured a field trip to the Penn State Arboretum’s BC3F2 seed orchard to observe highly-resistant American chestnuts from the PA Chapter’s breeding program. 

The meeting was a success attended by over 220 people, including students and faculty from the Penn State University Park campus.