ICBA initates collaboration with KAUST on seawater studies

Dr Nina V. Fedorov (Distinguished Visiting Professor, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology - KAUST), followed up an earlier visit to ICBA to further collaborative opportunities on advanced greenhouse facilities and genetic engineering for salt-tolerance. At the meeting on 14 November, ICBA agreed to commence in mid-December 2012 the evaluation of 36 progenies of Salicornia in the ICBA research station in Dubai. The material will be used for breeding for further studies. 

Dr Fedoroff, a leading geneticist and molecular biologist, has contributed to the development of modern techniques used to study and modify plants through her fundamental research in the molecular biology of plant genes and transposons, as well on the mechanisms plants use to adapt to stressful environments. Her book, Mendel in the Kitchen: A Scientist’s View of Genetically Modified Foods, published in 2004 by the Joseph Henry Press of the National Academy of Science, examines the scientific and societal issues surrounding the introduction of genetically modified crops. 

Dr Fedoroff is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the European Academy of Sciences. She has served on the National Science Board of the National Science Foundation and is a 2006 National Medal of Science laureate.