Abstract: Dr. Tiago Mendes - Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV, Brésil)

The global demand for new agricultural products that overcome the resistance to classic agrochemicals of phytopathogens and phyto pests and that at the same time are less harmful to nature has stimulated the development of new lines of biotechnological products based on efficient and disruptive molecular tools. In this lecture, the main results of the Molecular Biotechnology Laboratory group will be presented in the development and validation of optimized formulations of agricultural pesticides based on interference RNA, including toxicity studies, optimization of industrial processes for economic viability of production and field validation applied to phytopathogens and phyto pests that affect coffee, soybean and corn crops. In addition, examples of the development of tools based on CRISPR-Cas9 for reversing the resistance of microorganisms and studies of resistance genes to infection by phytopathogenic fungi will also be presented.

Abstract: Dr. Claudia Fortes Ferreira - Embrapa CNPMF (Brésil)

We will introduce Embrapa and its main branches throughout Brazil, focusing on Embrapa Cassava and Fruits located in Cruz das Almas, Bahia. We will also present the major challenges faced by conventional breeding of cassava and fruits (bananas, citrus and pineapple) and how the use of “omics” and gene editing tools help overcome major barriers. The importance of national and international partnerships when it comes to the goal of a more sustainable agriculture, will also be emphasized.