AGBT - Advances in Genome Biology and Technology

AgTech is a challenging but rewarding space. Panelists at the AGBT - Advances in Genome Biology and Technology Ag Meeting shared key insights on taking AgTech innovations from the lab to launch. Panelists: Chris Eiben, Ph.D., Founder & CEO, GigaCrop Kerryann Kocher, CEO, Vytelle Bryan Witherbee, President & CEO, Agragene Inc Moderator: Renee Lafitte, Director for Crops R&D, Gates Foundation Key takeaways: 🔹 Rejection is part of the journey. You may need the right few investors who truly believe in your vision. 🔹 Beyond the science: Investors want to know how your technology scales and who will pay for it. 🔹 Conviction is essential. Founders must believe in their mission, even when the going gets tough. 🔹 Rethink business models. Creative strategies, like outcome-based pricing, can drive adoption and increase the value of your tech. For those transitioning from academia to industry, these insights offer a solid foundation for success. #AGBTAg2025 #AgTech #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Innovation

🔬 Advancing Plant Breeding Through Genome Engineering 🌱 Charles Underwood of Radboud University, presented research at AGBT - Advances in Genome Biology and Technology Ag, exploring innovative approaches to plant breeding that could transform agriculture. His research focuses on harnessing natural reproductive mechanisms to enhance crop resilience and productivity. By applying breakthroughs in genome engineering, his work aims to improve hybrid breeding, maintain desirable traits across generations, and develop crops better suited for future challenges. These advancements could play a key role in shaping a more sustainable and efficient global food system. #PlantBreeding #GenomeEngineering #AgriculturalInnovation #CropScience #Genetics #AGBTAg2025

🔬 Mapping Cellular Identity Across Species with Data Science 🧬 Irene Papatheodorou, Head of Data Science at Earlham Institute, leads groundbreaking research in computational biology, leveraging data science to compare cellular identities across species and uncover evolutionary patterns. A major focus is developing novel integration strategies that preserve biological distinctions while improving cross-species comparisons. With the rise of multi-species single-cell atlases, ongoing efforts continue to advance computational methodologies, providing a deeper understanding of cellular evolution and function. #AGBTAg2025 #ComputationalBiology #SingleCellSequencing #Genomics #EvolutionaryBiology #DataScience

🐟 Advancing Aquaculture: Genetics & Genomics for Sustainable Growth🐟 With global fish populations under pressure, aquaculture has become essential for food security. Chile, the world’s second-largest salmon producer, has made significant strides in breeding programs to improve growth, disease resistance, and product quality. Jose Manuel Yañez, Professor at the Universidad de Chile, highlights the impact of genomic selection in enhancing breeding accuracy, particularly for disease resistance. Advances in whole-genome sequencing have accelerated genetic improvements, reducing mortality from major pathogens and boosting efficiency. As genomic technologies evolve, their integration into breeding programs will drive sustainability and resilience in global aquaculture. #Aquaculture #Genetics #Genomics #Sustainability #FoodSecurity #AGBTAg2025

🔬 Advancing Genomic Accuracy in Livestock Selection 🧬 At the intersection of agriculture and cutting-edge research, Dr. Antonio (Toni) Reverter-Gomez of CSIRO has dedicated years to refining the accuracy of genomic predictions—an essential tool in modern livestock breeding. His work underscores a fundamental truth: even small improvements in prediction accuracy can drive significant gains in efficiency, profitability, and sustainability. By leveraging genomic data, researchers can better predict traits like carcass weight and marbling, allowing producers to make informed decisions about which animals to invest in—ultimately reducing waste and increasing yield.

🏆 The Genome Partnership is proud to announce the 2025 Next Gen Leadership Awardees, announced at the AGBT - Advances in Genome Biology and Technology Ag Meeting. 🏆 Congratulations to: Matias Bermann, assistant research scientist at The University of Georgia. Research focus: Heritability estimation and hypothesis testing for complex models and very large datasets. Leonidas D’Agostino, graduate research assistant from Texas Tech University. Research focus: Unraveling Molecular and Cellular Insights in Soybean-AMF Symbiosis. Talissa Floriani, graduate research assistant at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) Research focus: Cracking the Genetic Code: Unveiling Rare Variants and Transforming Genotype-Phenotype associations with Machine Learning. Lauren C. Johnson, doctoral candidate at University of Kentucky Research focus: Functional Impact of Putatively Identified Introgressed Alleles within the Horse Genome. Chloee McLaughlin, computational biologist/postdoctoral researcher at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology Research focus: Maladaptation in cereal crop landraces following a soot-producing climate catastrophe. Vanda Marosi, doctoral candidate at Technical University of Munich Research focus: Barley pan-transcriptome comparative correlation network analysis reveals ortholog divergence. Pedro Henrique Massaro da Silveira, undergraduate researcher at USP - Universidade de São Paulo Research Focus: Development of a computational interface for the analysis of mixed models: exploring genotype-by-harvest interactions (GHI) in multi-harvest trials. RAISSA FON, postdoctoral research associate at Washington State University Research focus: Integrative approaches to conservation and genomic insights of Cylicomorpha solmsii (Urb.) Urb: A step towards sustainable restoration planning. Pedro Nuñez, doctoral student at Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) Research focus: Recursive modeling to evaluate host genetic and gut microbial influences on feed efficiency in Iberian pigs. Raissa Krupek, undergraduate researchers at USP - Universidade de São Paulo Research focus: Developing a software for statistical analysis of groups of experiments in randomized complete block designs with factorial arrangements, with applications in plant breeding. These early-career researchers are making critical advancements in AI-driven genomics, microbiome science, climate resilience, and sustainable breeding, helping to address global food security challenges. Learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q03fxHCY0

🌍🐄 Sustainable Dairy: Breeding a Low-Emission Future 🐄🌍 At the heart of dairy innovation is a simple truth: farmers inspire progress. Jennie Pryce Research Director at Agriculture Victoria and Professor at La Trobe University, is at the forefront of transforming dairy genetics to reduce emissions while improving efficiency. ✅ Genetic Progress & Sustainability At the AGBT - Advances in Genome Biology and Technology Ag Meeting, Jennie discussed how over decades, dairy production has doubled while emissions per liter of milk have decreased, thanks in part to genetic advancements. However, early selection focused on single traits, impacting fertility and longevity. Today’s multi-trait breeding strategies—balancing production, fertility, longevity, and feed efficiency—are correcting this and driving sustainability. 🌱 The Sustainability Index & Methane Reduction By integrating feed efficiency and methane reduction traits into breeding programs, researchers estimate a 10% reduction in methane intensity by 2035—with potential for up to 50% reductions through advanced genetic selection and technology stacking. 🐄Cows aren’t the problem—they are part of the solution. By optimizing breeding strategies, leveraging genomics, and scaling sustainability-driven selection, the dairy industry can continue to feed the world while reducing its environmental footprint. #SustainableDairy #Genomics #MethaneReduction #DairyInnovation #ClimateAction #AGBTAg2025

Day 2 of the AGBT Agricultural Meeting is officially in the books! A huge thank you to some of our incredible speakers who shared their innovative research and insights today. Your contributions are advancing the field of agriculture and inspiring us all to push the boundaries of what's possible. We're looking forward to more groundbreaking discussions and networking tomorrow! #AGBTAg2025 #AgriculturalInnovation #ThankYouSpeakers

🔬 Exploring Small RNAs in Gene Regulation 🌱 Blake Meyers of University of California, Davis, spoke at the AGBT - Advances in Genome Biology and Technology Ag Meeting about small RNA molecules and their importance in regulating various biological processes, with a significant impact on plant development and resilience. Ongoing studies aim to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind environmental sensitivity and small RNA function in plants. Understanding these processes could lead to innovative agricultural practices and improved crop resilience, offering exciting possibilities for the future of agriculture. #SmallRNAs #GeneRegulation #AGBTAg2025 #PlantScience #Biotechnology #Innovation #CropResilience

Brian Coullahan from Element Biosciences showcased their cutting-edge technology, transforming sequencing with higher accuracy, lower costs, and faster workflows. Their innovations are pushing the boundaries of genomics. A huge thank you to Element Biosciences for being a major sponsor of the AGBT Agricultural Meeting, and for driving progress in agricultural research! #AGBTAg2025 #ElementBiosciences #AgResearch