Progress 06/10/23 to 01/17/24

Outputs
Target Audience:SIVB is a professional society devoted to fostering the exchange of knowledge of in vitro biology of cells, tissues and organs from both plant and animals (including humans). Through its history, the Society for In Vitro Biology (SIVB) has been represented by many of the pioneers of tissue culture and in vitro biology. Participants of the 2023 In Vitro Biology Meeting participated from over 25 countries including the USA and represented scientists working in academia, government and industry, students, and postdoctoral fellows whose research bridges all aspects of In Vitro Biology and Biotechnology for plants, humans and animal subjects. The hybrid method of disseminating this year's meeting allowed us to reach out to scientists who could not normally travel to our scientific events as well as those who were able to attend an in-person event. SIVB strongly believes that today's students are the future of in vitro biology. We encourage the continued growth of upcoming researchers and scientists in our continued commitment to science. Because of this, we also targeted our outreach to students throughout the world by offering them free registration to participate and holding student meetings and workshops along with the scientific program. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The Society for In Vitro Biology hosted the 2023 In Vitro Biology Meeting to bring forth the latest advances in the field of In Vitro Biology. The Plant Biotechnology Section presented numerous sessions that focused on the scientific advancements and development of applications that address current challenges in the fields of In Vitro Biology and Biotechnology. SIVB's Education Committee worked with two elected Student Co-chairs who designed the exceptional quality student-convened scientific workshops and symposia. Through these activities, we were able to provide educational training and professional development for over 430 participants around the world, including 93 students at the collegiate, graduate school, and even high school level. In addition, the students held their own committee meetings where they were able to network with both each other and potential mentors, elect their next leaders, and determine the direction of their 2024 World Congress program. The Society for In Vitro Biology (SIVB) conferences provide an excellent opportunity for researchers to share and discuss new ideas related to the latest advances in cell and molecular biology. The 2023 SIVB conference program offered cutting-edge research on New Breeding Technologies (NBTs), biotechnology and breeding applications to a diverse audience from all areas of plant research. The goal was to enhance their understanding of biotechnology (transgenesis, gene editing etc.) and to apply these techniques and skills to their work on additional plant species in their own labs. This established a strong foundation for these scientists and researchers to identify where the greatest needs are and how they can collaborate as a community to provide sustainable solutions for accelerated breeding and cultivar development. By sharing their knowledge and expertise, these researchers can work together to develop innovative solutions that will help us move forward in the field of plant breeding and cultivar development. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The abstracts from the presentations have been published through our society journal, In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology and are available freely at https://link.springer.com/journal/11626/volumes-and-issues/59-1/supplement. Upon requet, all in-person attendees could request a hard copy of the Proceedings (abstract issue) and both in-person and on-demand attendees were able to view the abstracts online through the event website at https://sivb2023.eventscribe.net/index.asp?launcher=1 through June 9, 2024. In addition, they were able to view some key recorded presentations and uploaded posters through September 30, 2023. (Note, this website is password protected for attendees to view the content. Should the committee wish to view the site, they may do so by clicking on the "Create an Account" option and using the event code 23INVITRO). The over 430 scientists, researchers and students who attended the meeting participated from 28 countries. Due to the combination of in person and recorded presentation availability of the key symposia and workshops used to disseminate the program, we received a strong level of participation from organizations and countries that do not often have funds to send participants to our events. Ninety-three student participants took part in participating in the in-person event or viewing the presentations and other online opportunities. In addition, the recorded presentations and poster gallery were made available through September 30, significantly after the official end date for the meeting of Jun 14. During that time, attendees could watch the recorded presentations as often as they wished and could stop and start presentations to be able to fully absorb the data and techniques being presented. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The 2023 SIVB Meeting successfully updated attendees on traditional and New Breeding Technologies (NBTs) and microbiota's role in plant health improvement and stress resilience. Recording of the talks from the three supported live sessions were made available on-demand allowing global participants to view them multiple times. By being able to re-watch, attendees were able to gain a deeper knowledge of the research presented and understand how to further enhance plant breeding/address challenges in their research. We were able to educate and support not only the 435 attending scientists/researchers, but also their faculty/labs/communities who benefit from the materials presented by our experts. GOAL 1: Present and discuss novel delivery methods of gene editing tools to plant cells for crop improvement: The session "Innovative Approaches for Plant Gene & Editing Delivery," discussed new and novel delivery technologies to plants with impactful applications in agriculture and fundamental plant biology research. Dr Wang provided an update on his project that combined predictive modeling and multiplex gene editing (MGE) to improve the wood composition in poplar resulting in increased fiber pulping production with lower greenhouse gases production. Lignin reductions were shown in trees with 4 to 6 gene edits while single-gene edits failed to reduce lignin content. These results confirm the power of MGE to generate in one generation desirable changes in different genes. Dr Li provided an overview of viral vectors for gene editing applications based on tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). Engineered TSWV vectors were recovered from N. benthamiana leaves after agroinoculation and transmitted to crop plants through sap inoculation. The regeneration capacity of virus-infected cells is promoted by the addition of broad-spectrum antiviral compounds. Dr Machin presented a unique approach for delivery of gene editing reagents resulting in transgene free edited plants. The system relies on a transgenic donor rootstock expressing Cas9 and gRNA fused to tRNA-like sequence (TLS) that enables the editing of both scion tissue of the same species and of distant related crop species. Dr Carroll provided a progress update on the development of layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoclay particles as carriers for biomolecule delivery, including Cas9 and gRNAs, into intact roots with low or no cytotoxicity. In addition to the attendees at the live presentation, as of 10/23, this session was the 2nd most watched from the on-demand program with 289 views and 26 listed it amongst their favorites. Dr Wang's reported on a multiplex editing approach in poplar resulting in the concurrent editing of 6 genes generating tree with a wood carbohydrate-to-lignin ratio more favorable for pulp milling. Dr Li's reported the development of a viral delivery platform for CRISPR/Cas application based on TSWV combined with the use of antiviral molecules. This virus has large-cargo capacity and wide host range making it a valuable option for gene editing and for base editing applications. He provided a recording in case he was unable to connect via Zoom which was viewed 43 times, favorited 15, and watched 31. Dr Machin's presentation demonstrated an alternative system that relies on intra- and interspecific/family grafting for producing heritable genome edits induced by mobile TLS fusion transcripts without the need for transgene elimination, culture recovery and selection, or use of viral editing vectors. Dr Carroll described LDH Nanoclay particles as potential carrier for biomolecules in plants. Attendees will be able to leverage the methods and tools presented in this symposium for the design and execution of experiments for both single and multigene editing with or without the integration of the associated gene editing reagents. GOAL 2: Review the ecology, functions, and emerging trends in microbial application for plant health improvement: The session entitled "Microbiome - Basic Science to Application" offered a comprehensive overview of how distinct microbiomes are inter-related and contribute health outcomes amongst plants, animals and humans. Dr Bull provided an update about recent trends in phytobiome research and associated applications. She discussed the concept of phytobiome as key determinant of plant health and productivity and shared examples of integration of NGS with a variety of computational tools, including AI and ML, and genome editing technologies to further mine the phytobiome. As of 10/23, this sessionhad 69 total views from the On-Demand program and it was favorited 44 times among all the recorded presentations. Dr Bull's presentation introduced the concept of phytobiome and how it can be harnessed to enhance protection against biotic and abiotic stresses improving agricultural productivity. Topics presented provided highlights on the emerging notion of One Health concept recognizing interdependent relationships in the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment. GOAL 3: Discuss both new and traditional breeding technologies for woody, horticultural, and ornamental plant species. The session "New Breeding Technologies and Traditional Technologies for Woody Species/Horticultural/ Ornamental Species" provided an overview of the impact of both traditional and emerging breeding technologies on accelerating breeding of woody, horticultural and ornamental species. In addition to the attendees at the live presentation, as of 10/23, its on-demand recording received 105 total views. Dr Dardick reported on the use in breeding programs of transgenic trees with a shorter juvenility period due to the over-expression of flowering regulatory genes. The transgenic trees enable the development of a rapid cycle breeding program accelerating the introgression of the desired traits. Only trees with the desired trait(s) and without the transgenic elements are used directly as new varieties or as improved lines for further breeding meeting US regulatory requirements. Dr Zhao shared a historical perspective on the occurrence and significance of polyploidy in nature and how synthetic polyploid programs for plant improvement can improve row crops, trees, and ornamentals. He provided examples of factors influencing thein vitrogeneration of synthetic polyploid and best practices for their identification and confirmation. Dr Duan presented a progress update of the status of applied biotechnology program in woody ornamental (flowering cherry, boxwood and crape myrtle) from his lab. This sessionhad 69 on-demand views and it was favorited 44 times. Dr Dardick discussed the benefits of integrating early flowering transgenic trees in breeding program resulting in faster germplasm improvement. Dr Zhao reviewed both the significance of natural and synthetic/induced polyploid. Dr Duan discussed the progress made towards establishment of a bioengineering platform in a few woody ornamental plant species. Tissue culture, regeneration and Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation protocols were shared and optimization for protoplast and agroinfiltration based transient expression were provided. By attending this session where key advances achieved in the areas of biotechnology integration with traditional plant breeding for trait introgression in both fruit trees and ornamentals the attendees and their labs will be better equipped to utilize new and improved methods to accelerate their breeding programs to address productivity and nutritional challenges associated with the increase world population, changing climate, and limited resources.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology - Animal, Volume 59, Issue Proceedings, Fall 2023