The United Arab Emirates University organizes an ‘Integrative Plant Biology’ symposium to discuss global food security issues

To develop research capabilities in areas of national importance:

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The Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, in cooperation with the College Food and Agriculture at the United Arab Emirates University, organized a symposium on integrative plant biology on Monday, December 7^th, 2015, in the business center on campus. Professor Mohamed Al Baili, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; Dr. Abdul Azeem Abdul Majed, a consultant in the Human Resources Department of the Presidential Affairs Department and a number of faculty and students were present.

The symposium brought together a number of researchers working in the field of biology in order for them to exchange experiences and ideas and to support research in genomics, cell and molecular biology, systems biology and ecology. This is to encourage a multidisciplinary approach to research at UAEU in order to provide solutions to the challenges that face the region in terms of food production and agriculture.

Professor Al Baili stressed the importance of the symposium as it encourages ​​research, not only at UAEU, but elsewhere in the country and region. He said in his opening speech that what, “the Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology is doing is very important for the country and for the region as a whole. This is shown by the interest of the national leadership in the center which has all of the facilities and equipment required for research that can serve the needs of the region in terms of agriculture and nutrition.”

Dr. Abdul Majed said that the symposium was important for everyone: “the world today does not talk about oil, but rather, it talks about food security problems and climate change. Finding solutions to the food security issue is important and this symposium is part of the UAE’s contribution to a global issue.”

Ten research papers were presented during the symposium, which discussed the latest findings in the fields of cell biology, molecular biology and organic and environmental biology. The participants were Dr. Lam Son from the ‘RIKEN’ Center, one of the most important centers for sustainable resources; Professor Eduardo Blumwald, from the University of California, and Dr. Rashid Ali of Connecticut University. There were also a number of professors from the College of Sciences and the College of Food and Agriculture at UAEU.

The Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology is supported closely by His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. The center gathers together researchers interested in biotechnology and genetic engineering, including the genetic transformation of local plant species; quantitative genetic analysis; the propagation of genetically modified plants and how to classify gene products.