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Abstract
The present issue of Genetics and Molecular Biology is dedicated to explore the genetics
and molecular biology of plants. Brazil has overcome food security in as little as
20 years from 1960’s to 1980’s. Moreover, it also became a major player in the world
food production and a reference in tropical agriculture science. Together with classical
breeding and agronomical techniques, a large group of young researchers went abroad
during the 80’s to learn and bring back new plant molecular genetic tools to identify,
study and modify plant gene functions of interest in Brazilian crops. Thus, a high
degree of internationalization was a common feature in the origin of plant molecular
genetics in Brazil. These researchers returned to Brazil and established themselves
at different institutions with the task of building the so-called Plant Biotechnology
Infrastructure in the early 90’s, soon after their PhD or postdoctoral period. In
2007, the first Brazilian Symposium of Plant Molecular Genetics (SBGMP - Simposio
Brasileiro de Genética Molecular de Plantas) was held in Natal (RN). Since then, every
two years a new Symposium occurred at different locations in Brazil: 2009, Buzios
(RJ); 2011, Ilhéus, (BA); 2013, Bento Gonçalves (RS) and 2015, Iguassu Falls (PR),
held within 11th International Plant Molecular Biology Conference (IPMB). This special
issue of Genetics and Molecular Biology celebrates the V SBGMP. It includes 11 review
articles and five research articles. The inspiration to organize this special issue
came from results presented at the 11th IPMB Congress held in Iguassu Falls in October
2015, which resulted from a joint initiative of researchers from Brazil and Argentina.
The International Plant Molecular Biology Congresses is a triennial initiative by
the Plant Research community from around the world that focuses on new discoveries
on the nature of plant life at the molecular level. The 11th IPMB message to the Society
based on the Organizing Committee was that “Plants can help” improve quality of life
and environmental conservation, mitigate climate change, and provide opportunities
for a sustainable development around the globe. Leading scientists from over 25 countries
of five continents met at Iguassu Falls. A total of 1,100 participant, one third being
students and two-thirds scientists, met for the first time in South America. It was
an amazing opportunity to reveal exciting research at the forefront of Plant Sciences,
where the new generation of plant scientists vividly discussed their research projects
with young and senior scientists. Five days of intensive discussion were held on 20
major subjects related to plant life. Outstanding 11 plenary talks and 55 symposia
revealed first-hand knowledge and application of plant genetics and molecular biology.
A glimpse on what was presented can be found in the reviews in this special issue.
The research articles present studies on plant development and response to the environment,
as well as phylogeny resolution using secondary structure of transcribed spacers and
active endogenous viral elements. Also, reviews will update readers on a collection
of plant molecular processes embracing cell cycle, plant-pathogen interaction and
resistance strategies, organic and inorganic transport as means of environmental adaptation
to grow, differentiate and develop to a full life cycle. Moreover, the research articles
reveal how quick the area advances. Marcia Margis-Pinheiro and Marcio C. Silva-Filho
diligently coordinated the revision by peers of a number of submitted manuscripts,
and together with Nelson Saibo and Santiago Mora Garcia selected the 16 papers that
compose this special Plant Genetics and Molecular Biology issue. We thank not only
the four above but also the Brazilian Plant Genetics and Molecular Biology research
community for being enthusiastic and to believe that educating and performing research
in this field will make a difference.
[1
]Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo IB–USP),
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Author notes
Send correspondence to Marie-Anne Van Sluys. Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de
Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo (IB–USP), Rua do Matão, 277, Cidade Universitária,
05508-090, SP, São Paulo, Brazil. E-mail:
mavsluys@
123456usp.br
Article
Other ID: 00001
Publisher ID:
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