Chongqing, May 5 (ZXS) -- The second phase of the Western (Chongqing) Science City Germplasm Creation Big Science Center (hereinafter referred to as the "Center") was officially put into operation and the scientific and technological achievements release conference held in Chongqing on 27 May.
The picture shows the scene of the launching ceremony. Photo by China News Agency reporter Zhou Yi
Six germplasm creation teams, including rapeseed, potatoes, citrus, tea tree, tilapia and freshwater fish, focusing on the important characteristics of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, were officially settled and put into operation.
According to reports, the center is jointly built by Southwest University and Chongqing High-tech Zone of Western Science City, focusing on biological breeding strategy and serving the revitalization of the national seed industry, and has become one of the five professional platforms supporting service breeding innovation in China.
Zhang Weiguo, president of Southwest University, introduced that the center was officially inaugurated in January 2021. In the first phase, three teams of silkworms, poplars and artemisia were selected to operate in the center. Up to now, the center has formed a scientific research room of 1,4 square meters, set up a scientific research team of nearly 5 people, conquered a number of key technologies for creation and breeding, obtained more than 200 authorized invention patents, and created more than 10,1700 new germplasm materials, some achievements have entered the transformation stage, and the promotion area of new varieties cultivated has reached more than 2,5 mu.
The picture shows Xia Qingyou, chief scientist of the center, releasing the results of the silkworm germplasm creation team. Photo by China News Agency reporter Zhou Yi
Xia Qingyou, chief scientist of the Germplasm Creation Big Science Center of Western (Chongqing) Science City, introduced that in the next step, the center will give full play to the disciplinary advantages of key fields such as modern agriculture, omics big data, and biotechnology, carry out large-scale engineering germplasm creation research, screen new animal and plant varieties with independent intellectual property rights, strengthen the transformation and industrial application of scientific and technological achievements, and contribute to serving national food and biosecurity.
It is reported that according to the plan, the center will strive to complete the investment of 5 billion yuan within 10 to 20 years and build an engineering germplasm creation scientific facility with international influence; Conquered the key technologies of germplasm creation of more than 10 important species, and created tens of thousands of mutant strains of model species and thousands of practical production lines; Cultivate hundreds of new varieties with completely independent intellectual property rights and major industrial application value, cultivate or support internationally competitive listed seed enterprises through industrialized operation, and form an industrial cluster of <> billion yuan. (End)