A project that aims to re-sequence 3000 rice core germplasms collected around the world was launched in Shenzhen in November 15, marking the start of research on whole-genome-based molecular breeding of rice in China. Dr. WANG Ren, Vice-President of CAAS and President of Shenzhen Institute of Breeding and Innovation (SIBI) of CAAS, and Dr. Robert Zeigler, Director General of International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) signed the framework agreement on strategic cooperation between SIBI and IRRI.

CAAS will mobilize its technologies, human resources and international partnerships, and work with Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI) and IRRI to establish a database by re-sequencing about 3000 core germplasms as well as 8000 regular ones. Objectives of this initiative are 1) to obtain a complete sequence of rice genome; 2) to get an in-depth understanding of the genetic and molecular bases of major agronomical traits; 3) to identify genes of desirable traits on a large scale; 4) to find ways to improve quantitative traits at molecular level; 5) to breed new rice varieties with high yield, good quality and wide adaptation; and 6) to enhance China’s overall capacity in molecular breeding of rice.