Kickoff of the collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences to study the Brassica Pangenome

The visit of Dr. Yuting Zhang marks the beginning of a bilateral collaboration between the research groups led by Dr. Pedro Crevillén (CBGP) and Dr. Xiaowu Wang (IVF).

Last week, we welcomed Dr. Yuting Zhang, from the Institute of Vegetables and Flowers (IVF) of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS, China), to our research group "Epigenetic Regulation of Agronomic Traits".

This research stay marks the beginning of a bilateral collaboration between the groups led by Dr. Pedro Crevillén (CBGP) and Dr. Xiaowu Wang (IVF), within the framework of the institutional Memorandum of Understanding signed by both institutions in Madrid last year.

The joint project focuses on the study of the pangenome of wild and cultivated species of the genus Brassica. The research involves a unique collection of Brassica accessions and is being carried out in collaboration with the UPM Plant Germplasm Bank “César Gómez Campo”.

To launch this initiative, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) is currently funding a pilot project through the i-COOP programme, which will support the exchange of research personnel between both institutions over the next two years.

This project represents an important first step towards strengthening scientific collaboration between the two institutions and enhancing CBGP’s international outreach. By combining complementary expertise, germplasm resources and research capacities, the collaboration will advance our understanding of crop genetic diversity and contribute to the development of new strategies for plant breeding and agricultural innovation.