GWASchool - A Practical Introduction to Genome-Wide Association Studies in Plants
I EDITION | ON SITE | APPLICATION
Deadline for Registration
April 26th 2026
Period
22nd - 26th June 2026
Learning objectives
The genetic diversity of plants is a crucial resource for developing resilient crops capable of adapting to continuously changing climatic and environmental conditions. The Seasonal School aims to provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to investigate the genetic bases of agronomically relevant traits. The program covers the entire GWAS process, from the statistical basics of genome association studies to the validation of the results through molecular approaches. Each class will consist of lectures paired with practical hands-on sessions, ensuring direct involvement of the participants, who will be trained in the use of Bash and R programming languages and will engage in data analysis workshops using real-world datasets. Additionally, the school will feature guest lectures from renowned Institutions, offering insights into cutting-edge developments and applications of state-of-art technologies, with present and future applications to plant breeding. The multidisciplinary connotation of this Seasonal School aims to attract participants with different backgrounds ranging from molecular biology to agricultural science.
Teaching methodologies
The program integrates theoretical lectures with hands-on practical sessions. Interactive workshops will encourage collaboration and critical thinking, while expert-led discussions will provide insights from both academic and industry perspectives. To foster collaboration and networking, the program will include group discussions, Q&A sessions, and a social event at the end of the week. This blend of teaching approaches ensures that participants not only gain a deep understanding of genetic mapping techniques but also develop the skills necessary to conduct their own research.
Target participants
The course is mainly aimed at bachelor’s and master’s students eager to deepen their knowledge on quantitative genetics, applied plant genetics, and molecular plant breeding based on forward genetics. The Seasonal School targets participants with different backgrounds, including molecular biology, biotechnology, and agricultural sciences.
Coordinator and key teaching staff
Coordinator: Dr. Leonardo Caproni
Key teaching staff: Prof. Matteo Dell’Acqua, Prof. Chiara Pucciariello, Dr. Svenja Mager, Dr. Afewerki Yohannes Kiros, Dr. Simone Castellana, Dr. Eva Maria Gomez, Dr. Ettore Riccucci
SDGs (https://sdgs.un.org/goals)
Zero hunger, Climate action