OGIRC

Workshops

Plant Biotechnology Seminar Session: April 16, 2012

The OGIRC is pleased to announce an afternoon of plant biotechnology with guest speakers Dr C. Robin Buell, and Dr Mary Hausbeck, from the Department of Plant Biology at Michigan State University.

Date:   Monday, April 16 2012
Place: Physiology/Pharmacology Main Boardroom
            MSB 212 A/B
Time:  2.00 pm – 5.00 pm
RSVP: As space is limited, please RSVP to ogirc@uwo.ca
            by Thursday, April 12, 2012

 

Program

2.00     Introduction:  Dr EMK Lui, Scientific Director,
 Ontario Ginseng Research Innovation Centre (OGIRC)
2.15     Dr Dan Brown, OGIRC / Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
              Germplasm evaluation and improvement of NA ginseng
2.45     Dr Di Wu, OGIRC / Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
              The transcriptome of NA ginseng root
3.15     Break
3.30     Dr Robin Buell, Michigan State University
              Use of transcriptomics to access recalcitrant genomes of medicinal plant species
4.10     Dr Mary Hausbeck, Michigan State University
              Pathogens that impact ginseng quality and yield

 

2011 Autumn Retreat

 

The OGIRC 2011 Autumn Retreat was a two day meeting held on 27 and 28 November at Windermere Manor in London, Ontario.  The Retreat was well attended by 60 or more participants with all Platform Technology Groups represented by researchers, trainees and technicians as well as representatives from our private sector partners.  We were pleased to have many undergraduate and exchange students with us, as well as proud parents.

As the project is in its fourth year, the Retreat focused on up-dates from individual researchers that would provide evidence of what each project has accomplished to date and to help determine where resources need to be directed to meet the objectives and deliverables of the grant by the end of Year 5. 

Sunday’s session consisted of presentations from researchers in the Pre-Clinical, Plant Biotechnology and Agriculture groups.  A poster session featuring ten trainees wrapped up the afternoon and everyone in attendance enjoyed an early evening reception and poster viewing.

Monday began with presentations from researchers in the Safety, Phytochemistry and Advanced Processing groups.  The OGIRC Annual Report - April 2010 to March 2011 - was made available to members to provide them with information prior to the Annual General Meeting (AGM).  The AGM was held just prior to lunch and provided participants with an overview and highlights of Year 3.  Dr. S. Chakrabarti was thanked for his work on the Education & Training Committee, and Dr. P. Charpentier was introduced as the new co-chair of the committee with Dr. Q. Feng.  Reports from Dr. Ed Lui, Scientific Director; Dr. JT Arnason, Chair - Research Committee;  Wendy Ambrose-Hope on behalf of Education and Training (Outreach) Committee and Management Committee (financials) completed the AGM.  Lunch hour provided an opportunity for both OGIRC researchers and trainees to discuss further collaborations and interests.

It was our pleasure to have OGIRC private-sector partners participate in the retreat and to have an opportunity to hear their perspectives through presentations from:  Marvin Karges, Ontario Ginseng Growers’ Association; Megan Thomas, Jamieson Laboratories; and, Keri Wang, A&L Laboratories Canada.  

A second poster session on Monday afternoon featured the work of nine additional trainees.  Posters were viewed during the break and then all trainees were brought together for an informal Question & Answer session ably facilitated by Dr Marica Bakovic.  Trainees gave short summaries of their research, and the group engaged in lively discussion following the summaries.
 
The full retreat program is available here.