The progress workshop of cassava project “Engineering cassava for increased starch and bioethanol production” supported by the Sino-Swiss Science and Technology Cooperation (SSSTC) and the Bureau of International Cooperation, CAS, was held at SCCB on Dec. 11, 2009. Partners from ETH Zurich and group members at SIPPE were participated.

The project objectives are to produce novel cassava germplasm suitable for bioethanol and modified starch production through intensive collaboration by combining and exploiting the skill sets and technological platforms at SCCB. Participants updated their recent progress and exchanged their views of the project, including Peng Zhang’ Group on starch quality improvement and modification, Sheng Teng’s Group on sucrose transportation, Sam Zeeman’s Group on starch degradation and Wilhelm Gruissem’s Group on tissue-specific promoters. As an invited speaker, Prof. Laigeng Li gave a talk related to the starch and cellulose partitioning in plants.

All partners further clarified and adjusted research framework and responsibility for intensive collaborations. Swiss participants also visited the Insect Museum and Greenhouse at SIPPE during the meeting.