
The HZAU delegation poses for a group photo at the 68th Annual Maize Genetics Meeting in Cologne, Germany. [Photo/news.hzau.edu.cn]
Professor Yan Jianbing, president of Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU), led a group of four faculty members and 21 graduate students to the 68th Annual Maize Genetics Meeting in Cologne, Germany, from Feb 26 to March 1.
As an important event in maize biology, the meeting gathered research teams and experts from around the world to discuss cutting-edge topics, including maize genetics and breeding, genomic diversity, and gene-editing technologies.
The HZAU group took part in various sessions, presenting their recent work in maize breeding, genomics, and yield regulation.
Two students delivered oral presentations. Ph.D. student Li Huinan shared her research on how the gene ZmNAGS1 regulates maize kernel size and yield. She explained that the gene affects chlorophyll levels and photosynthesis efficiency, influencing how plants produce and allocate energy for grain development.
Master's student Luo Zheng presented a graph pangenome of the Zea genus, a genomic map that includes data from cultivated maize and its wild relatives. The study found previously unknown structural variations, providing a new understanding of maize domestication, adaptive evolution, and genetic improvement.
Ph.D. student Zhou Tao also shared findings on heterosis (hybrid vigor) during a brief talk, while all 21 students presented academic posters on leading topics.
During the conference, President Yan invited global researchers to visit China to explore cooperation in maize breeding and address global food security challenges. The international recognition further boosted HZAU's confidence ininternational academic engagement in agricultural science.