In this newsletter, we explore the recent activities within the BOOSTER project, providing you with an overview of our partners' contributions and achievements. Discover our latest scientific publications, access newly available multimedia materials, and stay informed about upcoming events. |
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Booster partner VIB highlights innovations in sustainable agriculture at European Maize Meeting and webinar on Rhizobia biostimulants
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The BOOSTER project consortium has been actively sharing its latest research on maize environmental responses and biostimulants for sustainable agriculture through a poster presentation at the 6th European Maize Meeting and an online seminar showcasing innovations in Europe and Africa. |
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The BOOSTER project consortium continues its mission to advance agricultural research, with recent contributions to high-profile scientific events in Europe.
Poster presentation at the 6th European Maize Meeting
Yasmine Vanhevel, a postdoctoral researcher at VIB in the Hilde Nelissen lab, presented a BOOSTER project poster at the 6th European Maize Meeting, held at the University of Antwerp, Belgium, held from Wednesday, 18 September to Friday, 20 September 2024. This prestigious conference brings together PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and principal investigators from academia, research centers, and industry. The focus is on maize environmental responses, genomics, bioinformatics, phenotyping, transgene technology, and CRISPR methods. Yasmine’s presentation highlighted BOOSTER’s ongoing research and innovations in maize genomics, contributing to the broader scientific discussion on sustainable maize cultivation. For more information about the event, please visit the conference website.
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Webinar: “Unlocking the power of rhizobia: Biostimulants for sustainable Agriculture in Europe and Africa”
In addition, on 27 September 2024, the BOOSTER consortium participated in the PlantB+B online café, featuring Dr. Sofie Goormachtig (VIB) and Dr. Ashenafi Gunnabo (Arba Minch University) in a seminar titled “Unlocking the Power of Rhizobia: Biostimulants for Sustainable Agriculture in Europe and Africa.”
Dr. Gunnabo’s work focuses on promoting sustainable agriculture in Southern Ethiopia by improving soil fertility and crop yields through microbial innovations, particularly Rhizobium inoculants. Meanwhile, Dr. Goormachtig’s research investigates how Rhizobia can enhance soybean production in north-western Europe using advanced microbial technologies. Together, their efforts highlight the potential of plant-microbe interactions to address food security challenges, boost crop productivity, and foster agricultural sustainability across diverse regions.
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Pioneering breakthroughs in crop science through collaboration and innovation
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By leveraging productive meetings, strategic collaborations, innovative fieldwork in hybrid maize, and upcoming advancements in molecular techniques, the BOOSTER project is driving forward its mission to revolutionise crop improvement strategies across Europe. |
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The project has recently seen significant developments through strategic collaborations and on-the-ground activities. BOOSTER partners, including the University of Düsseldorf (UDUS) in alliance with the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research (MPIPZ), and other key institutions, have been actively engaged in driving the project’s objectives forward.
In June, BOOSTER partners gathered at the Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) in Ghent for a dynamic networking meeting. Representatives from UDUS, VIB, and MPIPZ met on the 26th and 27th of June to exchange insights and discuss exciting new molecular and bioinformatic technologies that align with BOOSTER’s objectives. This meeting, which built on the ongoing discussions from the 2nd Annual Meeting, provided an opportunity to share hands-on experiences and explore the potential of these innovative techniques, while also maintaining momentum and ensuring ongoing communication among partners.
As the field season reaches its peak, the MPIPZ in Cologne has been at the forefront of generating new hybrid maize lines for the BOOSTER project. One of the project’s core goals is to unlock the regulatory potential within European maize germplasm, which has remained largely inaccessible to genetic studies and smart breeding programmes. To overcome the challenges posed by genetic and developmental differences between maize lines, BOOSTER employs a novel F1 hybrid approach. This method enables the analysis of gene regulatory networks in F1 populations, allowing for more accurate comparisons. Sohini Mukherjee of MPIPZ has been overseeing the successful generation of these maize F1 hybrid lines, a critical step in advancing the project’s objectives.
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Scientist Sohini Mukherjee conducting crosses of diverse maize germplasm in the fields at MPIPZ |
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Looking ahead, the BOOSTER project continues to push the boundaries of molecular biology with an upcoming workshop focused on improving the MOA-seq protocol. MOA-seq, a novel method developed in 2021, allows for the genome-wide identification of transcription factor footprints across species. Despite its success, the BOOSTER team from UDUS, in collaboration with the Bass and Dennis labs at Florida State University (FSU), aims to further streamline the protocol. The workshop, scheduled to take place from the 9th to 24th of September at FSU, will bring together experts to refine this technique, which is crucial for the project’s ongoing success.
The progress made in these recent meetings, fieldwork, and upcoming workshops will undoubtedly contribute to the project’s overarching goal of revolutionizing crop improvement strategies across Europe.
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CREA in BOOSTER: A year of progress, collaboration, and outreach
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The BOOSTER project, coordinated by Dr. Vincenzo Rossi from CREA, has made significant strides in its first year through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and public outreach. Key activities included expert exchanges, conference presentations, public events, and media engagement, aimed at disseminating the project’s objectives and achievements to various stakeholders. |
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One of the notable highlights was Dr. Rossi’s visit to the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research in Cologne, Germany. From 13 to 15 May 2024, Dr. Rossi and Dr. Hartwig’s staff exchanged expertise on the MOA-seq methodology, which will soon be implemented in Dr. Rossi’s laboratory at the Research Center for Cereals and Industrial Crops, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA) in Bergamo, Italy. This visit underscored the importance of international collaboration in advancing agricultural research and innovation. By integrating MOA-seq technology, Dr. Rossi’s lab aims to enhance their research capabilities, contributing to the overarching goals of the BOOSTER project.
In addition to this technical exchange, the BOOSTER project has actively sought to raise awareness among stakeholders through various initiatives. Articles and press releases have been published, targeting policymakers, the general public, and academia. The project was prominently featured at the 5th European Maize Meeting, held from 14 to 16 June 2023, in Bologna. This conference provided an ideal platform to introduce BOOSTER to a diverse audience, including PhD students, post-docs, research scientists, and principal investigators interested in maize genetics and related fields.
The public engagement efforts continued with the Fascination of Plants Day on 23 May 2024, at the CREA Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics in Fiorenzuola d’Arda. This event showcased the benefits of plant genetics in combating climate change and promoting sustainable agriculture to the general public.
Dr. Rossi has also been actively involved in media and public discussions about BOOSTER. On 21 June 2024, he participated in a 40-minute online interview discussing the project’s objectives and strategies. This interview will be published on the xFarm Technologies blog and shared on various social networks, reaching a broad audience including farmers, journalists, and researchers.
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Dr. Vincenzo Rossi (CREA), BOOSTER Project Coordinator |
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CREA remains committed to informing stakeholders about BOOSTER’s ongoing and future achievements. Upcoming initiatives include participation in the Italian Society of Agricultural Genetics SIGA annual congress and the European Researchers’ Night in September. Moreover, Dr. Rossi will present an informative seminar during a joint event for Researchers’ Night and SLOW Science on 24 September 2024, in Bologna. The event aims to make science accessible to all through interactive and engaging activities, introduce the BOOSTER project, and facilitate an interactive discussion with attendees.
These activities highlight BOOSTER’s dedication to fostering a deeper understanding of its objectives and impacts among various stakeholders. As the project continues to evolve, CREA and its partners remain committed to transparency, collaboration, and public engagement.”
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BOOSTER project consortium gathers for second annual meeting
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The event, held from 5-7 June 2024, took place at the CPSBB scientific complex in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. |
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The Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology (CPSBB) recently hosted the Second Annual Meeting for the BOOSTER Project, bringing together consortium members from ten countries, including Bulgaria, France, Italy, South Africa, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and Ethiopia.
During the three-day meeting, consortium members presented their research from the first year of the project, including preliminary results and future plans. The project has gained significant attention in Bulgaria, having been presented to various stakeholders, including government ministries, academic institutions, farmers, and the business sector.
After the intensive meetings, the consortium members were treated to a guided tour of the Old Town of Plovdiv, providing them with a glimpse into the cultural richness of the city. Following the tour, they enjoyed a dinner hosted by the local organisers, which provided an opportunity for informal networking and strengthening of professional relationships among the project partners.
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Booster partner organize international workshop: “Drought sensing? What do we know from crops to resurrection plants?”
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Scientists and researchers from across Europe and beyond gathered at the University of Bonn for an international workshop aimed at advancing our understanding of drought tolerance and desiccation signaling in plants. |
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Organized by Prof. Jill Farrant of the University of Cape Town, one of the BOOSTER partners, in collaboration with Prof. Ute Vothknecht of the University of Bonn, this workshop was a part of the conditions set by the Humboldt Foundation, requiring recipients like Prof. Farrant to network with fellow European scientists.
The workshop served as a platform for scientists with interests in desiccation and drought tolerance to exchange knowledge, explore innovative approaches and connect with leaders of EU projects focused on investigating aspects of drought tolerance with practical applications. Among the EU projects discussed were “BOOSTER” in which Prof. Farrant is a participant, “ADAPT” in which Prof. Vothknecht is involved, and “RESIST” represented by Prof. Zoran Nicolai from the University of Potsdam, Germany.
The event featured presentations by group leaders of these projects, including Dr. Vincenzo Rossi from CREA (Italy) who discussed the BOOSTER project’s dual approach, focusing on harnessing natural genetic variations for drought tolerance and developing microbial and seaweed bio-stimulants to enhance drought tolerance in maize and teff cereals without compromising yield. Prof. Zoran Nicolai from the University of Potsdam (Germany) explained the systems biology approach used in the RESIST project, emphasizing the use of seedling models to screen omics techniques in two Xerophyta species with different strategies for coping with dehydration-induced photosynthetic stress. The RESIST project, now in its fourth year, aims to uncover mechanisms of desiccation tolerance and complex signaling during drying and rehydration in resurrection species. Finally, Prof. Marcus Teige from the University of Vienna (Austria) outlined the ADAPT project’s objectives, particularly focusing on the impact of drought on the Tuber Activation Complex, as part of the broader effort to define novel breeding targets. The workshop also delved into various aspects of vegetative desiccation tolerance and explored potential drought signaling in plants like Arabidopsis, barley, and potato.
Other speakers of the workshop involved Dr Luiz Bondi and Dr Danilo Centeno from University of Rostock (Germany), Dr Suzana Alcantara, Departamento de Botânica-CCB-UFSC (Brazil), Dr Francesca Rappini, Institute for BioEconomy in Italian National Research Council (Italy) and Dr Andras Bittner from the University of Bonn (Germany).
During the concluding session, there was consensus that although some aspects of drought signaling had been unraveled, a comprehensive understanding of this complex phenomenon still has a long way to go. It was widely acknowledged that sharing data among researchers could significantly advance our knowledge in this area. However, it was also recognized that challenges, such as confidentiality clauses in EU projects, might hinder the implementation of this beneficial practice.
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New multimedia tools to support BOOSTER initiatives
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BOOSTER has recently developed new multimedia materials, including an infographic, a poster, a roll-up, a leaflet, and a video. These resources are designed to effectively convey key information about the project and its initiatives, making them valuable assets for our partners and stakeholders. |
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BOOSTER Scientific Publications
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To date, BOOSTER partners have published three scientific papers in recognized journals, focusing on research related to tef, transcription factor binding in maize, and gene regulatory networks in plants: |
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The role of omics in improving the orphan crop tef
Authors: Lorena Y. Ramírez Gonzales, Gina Cannarozzi, Lea Jäggi, Kebebew Assefa, Solomon Chanyalew, Matteo Dell’Acqua and Zerihun Tadele
Journal: Trends in Genetics
Volume 40, Issue 5, May 2024, Pages 449-461
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tig.2024.03.003
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Genetic variation at transcription factor binding sites largely explains phenotypic heritability in maize
Authors: Julia Engelhorn, Samantha J. Snodgrass, Amelie Kok, Arun S. Seetharam, Michael Schneider, Tatjana Kiwit, Ayush Singh, Michael Banf, Merritt Khaipho-Burch, Daniel E. Runcie, Victor A. Sanchez-Camargo, J. Vladimir Torres-Rodriguez, Guangchao Sun, Maike Stam, Fabio Fiorani, Sebastian Beier, James C. Schnable, Hank W. Bass, Matthew B. Hufford, Benjamin Stich, Wolf B. Frommer, Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra and Thomas Hartwig
Journal: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Genomics, April 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.08.08.551183
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MINI-AC: inference of plant gene regulatory networks using bulk or single-cell accessible chromatin profiles
Authors: Nicolás Manosalva Pérez, Camilla Ferrari, Julia Engelhorn, Thomas Depuydt, Hilde Nelissen, Thomas Hartwig and Klaas Vandepoele
Journal: The Plant Journal
Volume 117, Issue 1, January 2024, Pages 280-301
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.16483
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Upcoming Agri-Food Biotech events
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In the coming months, we’ll highlight key conferences and workshops that focus on innovative research and advancements in the field. Stay tuned! |
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