RCA regional training course on “Advanced Mutation Techniques for Induction and Screening of Green Traits in Crops” was held in Beijing from 14 to 18 August 2017. It was organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in cooperation with the China Atomic Energy Agency (CAEA) through Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS) of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). 31 participants from 15 different RCA countries including Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Lao P.D.R., Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Viet Nam and China attended the training course. Dr. Xifeng Gong, Director General of Department of International Cooperation of CAAS, and Prof. Luxiang Liu, Deputy Director General of ICS presented at the opening ceremony.

During this training course, IAEA specialist Dr. Chengdao Li and local experts delivered lectures on crop mutation induction methodologies and screening techniques, including theoretical introduction of heavy ion beam and simulated cosmic rays irradiation for mutation induction; mutant detection and selection using genomics approach; TILLING and proteomics platform for gene discovery and breeding; high throughput marker techniques; accelerating breeding approaches; genome editing in main food crops; green super rice breeding technology and screening techniques for target green traits; experiments, technical and practical demonstrations of biological effect of heavy ion beams compared with gamma rays; etc.. Visits of experimental field and facility of heavy ion beam irradiation were also involved in the course. According to the feedback, participants speak highly for this training course.

This training course is one of the most important annual activities of IAEA/RCA project RAS/5/077 “Promoting the Application of Mutation Techniques and Related Biotechnologies for the Development of Green Crop Varieties”. Professor Luxiang Liu is the Leading Country Coordinator and China National Project Coordinator of this project and served as the Course Director.