Guest lecture: Dr Patience Chatukuta (Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübigen)

Title: "Tackling a thorny issue: Establishing horned melon as our model crop"

Abstract: The African Plant Genomics Group collaborates with scientists on the African continent to advance genomics resource development for indigenous opportunity crops. One such crop, horned melon (Cucumis metuliferus), is a nutritious subsistence crop cultivated by smallholder farmers using agroecological practices. The phenotypic diversity of horned melon and the genetic bases underlying this diversity remain largely unexplored. We will present our efforts to establish horned melon as a model system for studying diversity in non-legume, non-cereal indigenous African crops, share our findings on the phenotypic diversity of southern African horned melon accessions, and discuss these observations in light of known genomic determinants of important agronomic traits. We will also discuss our approach to collaborative research with scientists in Africa, addressing the ethical, social and legal considerations involved. We propose that horned melon as a model crop offers opportunity for investigation of the genetic bases of important agricultural traits, and can also serve as a medium for building impactful partnerships for African plant genomics.

About Dr Patience Chatukuta
since 2024    Group Leader African Plant Genomics, Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen
2021 – 2024  Postdoctoral Research Associate, Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen
2017 - 2022  Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
2013 -2015   PhD in Biology, Plant Biotechnology, North-West University, South Africa
2004– 2012   Studies of Biology and Plant Biotechnology, Zimbabwe and South Africa

When?
Thursday, 12 December 2024, 10:00-11:00 h

Where?
Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ), Theodor-Echtermeyer-Weg 1, 14979 Großbeeren
Hörsaal (Verwaltungsgebäude)

Registration
Please register at lectures@igzev.de.