FFWD-Plants: Fast-forward genetics in plants: mining natural allelic variation for sustainable crop improvement

I EDITION | ON SITE | APPLICATION

Deadline for Registration

February 20th, 2026

Period

April 13th - 17th, 2026

Learning objectives

FFWD-Plants focuses on quantitative genetics methods, including population genetics and marker-trait association studies, to discuss ways in which the discovery and use of agrobiodiversity can be accelerated for crop improvement. The host of FFWD-Plants is the group of Translational Plant Genomics at Scuola Sant'Anna (‪Matteo Dell'Acqua‬ - ‪Google Scholar‬), which will provide the core training in the course. The Seasonal School spans from concepts in exploration of crop wild relatives and ethnobotany (with Dr. Colin Khoury, NY Botanical Garden, USA), to discovery of genetic variation associated with environmental variation (with Prof. Jesse Lasky, PennState, USA), to identification of genetic variation associated with traits of agronomic relevance (with Prof. James Schnable, UNL, USA), and to manipulation of genetic factors to alter plant traits for breeding (with Prof. Hilde Nelissen, VIB, BE). The participants will build knowledge on basic quantitative genetic concepts, genomics, advanced methods in crop breeding. Recent advancements in detecting and accessing polygenic traits determination in both experimental and natural populations will be discussed. Forward genetics concepts will be framed in research question pursued by the course faculty. The course will introduce the participants to the analysis of phenomic and genomic data using hands-on exercises on R using datasets derived from the research examples provided in lectures.

Teaching methodologies

Each day will start from introductory lectures in the morning dealing with theoretical concepts that are key to advance knoweldge on the course theme. On monday, genetics and genomics; tuesday, agrobiodiversity and agrobiodiversity conservation; wednesday, population genetics and adaptation genomics; thursday, marker trait associations and forward genetics; friday, new breeding technologies. In the afternoon of each day, we will have practicals associated with lectures from keynote speakers. In the evening, we will have general discussions and pitch talks from students for general discussion. Common lunches and social events with the speakers and instructors (aperitivo being an important italian staple) will foster informal discussions.

Target participants

This is a course aimed at PhD students who seek a basic-to-intermediate approach to population genetics and genetics of complex traits for agrobiodiversity exploration. We expect MSc level knowledge of genetics, basic experience in file manipulation with R. Experience in the field of quantitative genetics is recommended but not required. Access to an online R basic course and other preparatory materials will be given before the start of the Seasonal School.

SDGs

SDG2, SDG15

Coordinator and key teaching staff

Professor Matteo Dell’Acqua, coordinator
Dr. Leonardo Caproni
Dr. Ettore Riccucci
Ms. Martina Sechi
Dr. Colin Khoury, NY Botanical Gardens
Prof. Jesse Lasky, Penn State University
Prof. James Schnable, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Prof. Hilde Nelissen, VIB Ghent