Professor Richard Clague Gardner from the Royal Academy of Sciences, New Zealand, University of Auckland visited Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences at the invitation of Professor Qinhong Wang on April 28.

His research has centered on the application of genetics to the improvement of both crops and yeasts. In particular, he has focused on the integration of genetic engineering approaches and breeding in the development of new varieties and strains. He has published more than 130 papers on molecular genetic methods and their application in crop plants, particularly in kiwifruit, apples, pine trees and ryegrass, which are the most important crop plants in New Zealand. Most recently he has applied the results in the development of new commercial strains of wine yeasts. Their lead strain is in commercial production for trials in 2012, and a range of new strains are in pre-commercial trials.

Professor Richard gave a lecture entitled " Generating novel genes: Trade or Mutate " , the deputy director Xiujuan Cui attended the lecture. The lecture mainly focused on horizontal and vertical gene transfer type and brief progress and mechanisms in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, using grapes and vampire bats as example to explain the relationship between gene transfer and species diversity. In the report, he also described basic evolution principles from the lower to higher through human and chimp genes contrast, finally he pointed possibility of re- evolution in new gene, based on their own research result in the transfer and expression.

After the lecture, Xiujuan Cui on behalf of the Institute awarded the certificate “CAS Visiting Professorships for Senior International Scientists” for Professor Richard.