The Hanlin Cup 2010 top ten scientific and technological progresses news was unveiled in Beijing on January 19. The Cup was co-hosted by the Chinese Academy of Sciences Academician Working Division, the Chinese Academy of Engineering Education Working Division and Science Times. A total of 557 CAS and CAE academicians cast votes.

“Breakthroughs in Rice Genetic Breeding Technology”, mainly completed by Dr. QIAN Qian with China National Rice Research Institute of CAAS, was rated one of the 2010 top ten scientific and technological progresses news.

Nature-Genetics Magazine reported on May 23, 2010 that a research team led by academician LI Jia-yang with Genetics and Developmental Biology Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Dr. QIAN Qian had made breakthroughs in molecular regulation of tillering mechanism of rice and successfully cloned a key gene which help increase rice production. The mutation of the gene can reduce the number of rice tillers while increasing the kernel number of spikes and thousand kernel weights. At the same time, the stem becomes thick and strong, thus enhancing lodging resistance.

The research team combines the genetic analytical technology with traditional planting methods, generating an improved rice variety which increased the yield by 10%.