We Support One of the World’s Largest Cassava Genotype-Phenotype Databases to Drive Sustainable Crop Improvement
On June 16th, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) in Thailand, several Thai partners together with the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-2 and IBG-4) of Forschungszentrum Jülich, officially launched a large-scale genotype and phenotype database for cassava—one of the world’s most extensive databases of its kind.
This achievement is the result of a collaborative Thai-German research project called CASSAVASTORE, coordinated by Tobias Wojciechowski (IBG-2, left), which aimed at supporting cassava breeding, improving production efficiency, and contributing to long-term food security. Bioinformatics support and computational analysis was performed by colleagues of IBG-4 including Marie Bolger (right) and Sebastian Beier (second from right) who joined the launching ceremony. The IBG-2 was also represented by Prof. Dr. Uwe Rascher (3rd from the right).
In Thailand, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and NECTEC (National Electronics and Computer Technology Center), the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) and the King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi are involved in the project.
Mr. Johannes Kerner, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the German Embassy in Bangkok, delivered the opening remarks for the launching ceremony. Also in attendance were executives and researchers from BIOTEC and Forschungszentrum Jülich.
The database created through this project will serve as a vital resource for researchers, breeders, and agricultural industries around the globe, helping to drive cassava production that is more efficient, disease-resistant, and resilient to changing environments—ultimately strengthening global food security
The project: https://www.international-bioeconomy.org/cassavastore_eng
News on the launching of the cassava database: https://www.biotec.or.th/home/en/press-conference-cassavastore_eng/