PlantGENE presents the foundational steps of modular cloning strategies in this workshop. Modular cloning is a popular method for vector construction due to high efficiency and ease of design. Several genetic components can be assembled in a single reaction, typically utilizing a Golden Gate method. Many standardized toolkits are now available, and users can readily select different components to create custom vectors for various applications. Understanding the fundamentals of a modular cloning strategy for vector design is essential for successful cloning experiments.  In addition to introducing key concepts, the workshop will provide troubleshooting tips to improve cloning workflow. There will be ample time for audience discussion and questions.  

The first transgenic plants were produced 40 years ago, and the first commercial tomato crop was grown in 1994, followed by soybeans in 1996 and corn (maize) in 1998.  Since then, the adoption of biotechnology in crops has expanded exponentially; 190 million hectares were grown in 29 countries in 2019.  In the last few years, specialty crops have been developed which are marketed and consumed in-country to avoid the regulatory challenges which are faced by commodity crops. In contrast, while the first transgenic mice were produced in 1974, the adoption in agriculture has not been as smooth, primarily due to the different regulatory environment. Some animals have been developed for production of drugs, but the only animal approved for consumption (in the USA and Canada) is the AquaVantage Salmon. Its introduction into the market since its approval in 2015 has faced a number of hurdles. The recent addition of genome editing to the plant and animal breeders toolbox is accelerating the options for improvement, and challenging regulators to respond to these new approaches. This panel discussion will bring together experts in the field of plant and animal biotechnology from academia, industry, and government regulatory agencies to consider the future direction of plant and animal biotechnology. Points of discussion will include the effect of regulatory decisions on the direction of research and development, whether genome editing will eclipse or complement traditional transgenic approaches, and how stewardship and traceability will evolve in an increasing complex world regulatory and trade situation.

Plant tissue culture provides the foundation for modern biotechnology, which has revolutionized plant breeding, propagation, and food production.  In this process, plant cells, tissues, or organs, are cultured in a highly controlled environment on a well-defined culture medium containing complex mixtures of nutrients, plant growth regulators,  carbohydrates, gelling agents, and other components.  The composition of the culture media can dramatically impact the growth and development of the tissues and make the difference between success and failure. However, the optimal combination of culture medium components can be highly species and even genotype specific.  While biotechnology has progressed rapidly with exciting advances in plant transformation and genome editing in a vast array of species, most systems still rely on a small selection of media optimized for a limited number of plants.  As a result, plant regeneration, multiplication, and acclimatization remain  major bottle necks in implementing these techniques in many high-value species.  Last year, the SIVB held an exciting workshop that reviewed the role and importance of different components of plant tissue culture media and the different approaches for media optimization.  This workshop will expand upon this and delve deeper into modern approaches for media optimization.  Come listen to academic and industry leaders discuss practical approaches to optimizing culture media and improve plant tissue culture systems. Topics presented include the integration of plant tissue nutrient analysis for iterative media optimization and applications of machine learning and optimization algorithms to develop and validate predictive models.     

The Society for In Vitro Biology (SIVB) invites you to an engaging panel discussion featuring leading specialists from our Plant Biotechnology and In Vitro Animal Cell Sciences Sections. This roundtable aims to thoroughly examine the intricate aspects of media formulation for both plant and animal/invertebrate tissue cultures. Our experts will present a comparative analysis of the techniques and strategies used in each field, shedding light on their similarities and differences. By promoting the exchange of knowledge and expertise among panelists and participants, we strive to deepen our collective understanding of the unique challenges faced in these areas. We believe that the insights gained from this discussion will play a crucial role in the continuous improvement and evolution of in vitro tissue culture methods. This event is designed to benefit researchers and practitioners working across a wide array of biological disciplines. Join us for this insightful event, where collaborative dialogue and shared expertise will drive forward the advancement of in vitro biology, fostering innovation and excellence in the field.

Genetic engineering of plant and animal organisms using transgenic and genome editing technologies offers the opportunity to incorporate many agronomic and economic benefits that are difficult or impossible to achieve through traditional breeding techniques. The use of this approach in developing new transgenic products will become increasingly more important to accommodate the ever-growing global population and addressing the challenge of climate change. However, the potential risks and unforeseen consequences to the environment and human health associated with various biotechnology approaches and innovations raise valid public concerns on the application of biotechnology and the commercialization of transgenic products. This session will cover recent research advances in biotechnology risk assessment, gene containment, and risk mitigation strategy development, in both plants and animals. The presentations and discussions about this important topic will provide scientific-based information to facilitate rational development and application of genetic engineering and genome editing technologies for plant and animal improvement. The information presented in this session will also help streamline effective regulatory processes in facilitating product development and commercialization of genetically engineered organisms.

The field of cellular agriculture is rapidly advancing, offering groundbreaking solutions for sustainable production across a wide range of industries, from food to fiber. This session will explore the latest developments in plant and animal cell cultures for alternative food and fiber production, as well as innovations in tissue culture and engineering. Speakers will focus in critical areas for optimizing scalability and commercial viability. Together, these talks will provide a comprehensive view of how cellular agriculture is shaping the future of food and fiber industries, highlighting its potential for environmental impact and scalability in sustainable manufacturing.

Human Diseases and Immunity brings together leading experts in diverse fields of biomedical research to explore cutting-edge advancements in our understanding of disease mechanisms and immune responses. The panel will feature a specialist in vaccine delivery, who will discuss novel technologies for improving the efficiency and accessibility of vaccines. Another speaker will focus on SARS-CoV-2 entry, providing insights into the molecular pathways that the virus exploits to infect human cells and highlighting implications for therapeutic interventions. A researcher specializing in in vitro models of cancer will present innovative approaches to studying tumor biology in vitro, while respecting the complexity and multicellular nature of cancer. Together, the session promises a comprehensive exploration of current challenges and breakthroughs in the fight against human diseases.

Amidst the challenges posed by climate change, regenerative agriculture prioritizes resilience traits, plant diversity, and soil health, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the overall quality and sustainability of the land and future food production. While traditional breeding methods have been effective in improving yields and disease resistance, they can take many years and are limited in their ability to uncover traits absent from the collective germplasm. New breeding technologies (NBT), including novel plant genome engineering techniques, have been instrumental in accelerating the development of new plant traits. This session will showcase examples of utilizing these technologies in trait discovery and domestication of new crop species, thereby creating a future of more climate resilient plants that would be difficult to create by classical breeding approaches.

Learning to clearly communicate research to a wide array of audiences is an important part of the professional development of future scientists. This exciting event will be hosted by the SIVB Toastmasters. Toastmasters are part of an international, multi-disciplinary organization committed to developing confidence in public speaking skills. This luncheon will have networking activities to build skills and confidence to orally present research in a safe social environment. There will be a fun contest with prizes in many categories.

We are delighted to present the 2025 Post-Doctoral Oral Presentation Competition for the Plant Biotechnology Section. This dynamic session brings together a diverse group of researchers who have recently completed their doctoral degrees and entered the exciting realm of postdoctoral research. The symposia aim to showcase cutting-edge advancements and discoveries in plant biotechnology, fostering a platform for insightful discussions, interdisciplinary collaborations, and networking opportunities. With ever-growing techniques and their applications in plant biology, these symposia promise to be both intellectually stimulating and inspiring. Please join us as we celebrate the outstanding contributions of these talented postdocs, as they present their innovative research in plant biotechnology during this enlightening session. Post-Doctoral candidates wishing to participate in this competition should check that option when they submit their abstract. Competition finalists will be selected based on the quality of the abstracts. The abstract should address the following: Background, Objectives, Methods, Results, Discussion and Conclusions. Where appropriate, the methods section should include a description of how reproducible results were ensured. The abstract must not include references. The abstract text must not exceed 1800 characters. A panel of judges will evaluate the presentations at the meeting. Criteria for the evaluation include experimental design, data analysis, proper interpretation of the results, originality of the study, technical difficulty, appearance and ability of the post-doctoral candidate to present it. Winners will be presented with a certificate and a cash award at the meeting. Please note that the DEADLINE to submit your abstract for the SIVB Oral Presentation Competition is January 31, 2025.

The In Vitro Animal Cell Sciences (IVACS) Section of the Society for In Vitro Biology is pleased to announce the 2025 Student Oral Presentation Competition during the SIVB Annual meeting in Norfolk, VA. This competition encourages the exchange of scientific information between the presenters, attendees, and judges. Moreover, it provides an invaluable opportunity for students to practice and improve their presentation delivery and public speaking skills. Students who wish to participate in this competition should check that option during the submission of their abstract to the 2025 Annual Meeting of the SIVB. The top finalists will be selected for this competition based on the quality of their abstracts, as well as the merit of their research and scientific findings. The text of the abstract should include the following sections: Background, Objectives, Methods, Results, Discussion and Conclusions. Where appropriate, the Methods section should include relevant statistical analysis. The abstract text should not exceed 1800 characters and should not include references. The oral presentations will be presented in-person at the meeting, and a panel of expert judges will select the top presentations. Evaluation criteria will include experimental design, data analysis, proper interpretation of the results, originality of the study, technical difficulty, professionalism, the ability of the finalist to explain the research and answer questions, as well as adhere to the allocated time for the presentation. The Student Oral Presentation Competition session serves to recognize and reward the research and achievements of outstanding students. The top three finalists will be presented with a certificate and a cash award during the 2025 Annual Meeting. The DEADLINE for abstract submission for the Student Oral Presentation Competition is January 31, 2025. Should you have any questions, please contact the SIVB Office or the session moderator. We are looking forward to reviewing your abstract!

Bio: Dr. S. Eliza Lockwood is an emergency medicine physician and medical toxicologist with a long-standing interest in global health.  After completing her toxicology fellowship at NYU in 2006, Dr. Lockwood returned to Washington University in St. Louis and started an ACGME accredited fellowship in Medical Toxicology. Over the following ten years, Dr. Lockwood became increasingly involved with global health and humanitarian relief projects.  She organized a relief mission to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, started the scholar track in Global Health for the Washington University Division of Emergency Medicine, and was one of the Global Health Scholars for the Department of Internal Medicine. Over the years, Dr. Lockwood began to realize that in order to have a sustainable impact in global health, she needed to find creative ways of addressing malnutrition and insect-borne illness, two of the most commonly encountered public health problems in developing countries.  With that in mind, Dr. Lockwood started working as the Medical Affairs Lead for Bayer, a global seed and chemical company with innovative technology that has great potential to remediate malnutrition. Dr. Lockwood has lectured nationally and internationally on a diverse range of topics in medical toxicology and global health.

Synthetic biology is an emerging scientific discipline that involves redesigning organisms for an extensive array of applications. This new and exciting field uses multidisciplinary approaches to re-engineer biological systems with both “top-down” and “bottom-up” approaches that include an entire organism, to biological components, to the development of molecular machines. Synthetic biology is expected to account for a third of the global manufacturing output by the end of the next decade, and will be a major contributor in improving human health and food production. This workshop will briefly introduce the wide scope of this field and then use a networking-based, team-building approach among the student and postdoctoral researchers. We will explore a synthetic biology example from both the plant and animal field, stemming from research of two invited synthetic biology scientists. Group discussions facilitated by these experts will include problem solving activities: experimental design, social and ethical considerations, and future prospectives.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing every aspect of life. But understanding how it can be used to improve our lives and help us achieve our sustainability goals is not something generally understood by society at large. This Symposium is inspired by recent advancements of AI-driven biological research. We will particularly explore the intersection of AI and in vitro biology, how to harness the power of AI to unlock and enhance our understanding of complicated biological systems and processes, and drive breakthrough innovation in medical research, chemical/drug discovery, and agricultural product development. Our invited subject-matter expert speakers will immerse us in the fascinating world of AI biotechnologies, how AI can revolutionize bioactive compound discovery, novel product development, precision medicine, tissue engineering and 3-dimensional organoid design, as well as potential challenges and future directions of implementing AI in biological research.

The Plant Biotechnology Section is pleased to announce the 2025 Bob V. Conger Plant Biotechnology Student Oral Presentation Competition. Students wishing to participate in this competition should check that option when they submit their abstract. Competition finalists will be selected based on the quality of the abstracts. The abstract should address the following: Background, Objectives, Methods, Results, Discussion and Conclusions. Where appropriate, the methods section should include a description of how reproducible results were ensured. The abstract must not include references. The abstract text must not exceed 1800 characters. A panel of judges will evaluate the presentations at the meeting. Criteria for the evaluation include experimental design, data analysis, proper interpretation of the results, originality of the study, technical difficulty, appearance and ability of the student to present it. Winners will be presented with a certificate and a cash award at the meeting. Please note that the DEADLINE to submit your abstract for the Bob V. Conger Plant Biotechnology Student Oral Presentation Competition is January 31, 2025.

Since the first successful demonstration of growing frog nerve fibers in vitro in 1907, in vitro biology has tremendously advanced fundamental research, enabled groundbreaking discoveries and transformed medicine. New important cell types have been discovered (e.g., dendritic cells), therapeutic proteins produced (tissue plasminogen activator), toxicity and pharmacological efficacy of novel drugs screened, and cancer immunotherapies developed, just to name a few. This In Vitro Animal Cell Sciences (IVACS) symposium will highlight some of the recent developments utilizing animal cell and tissue cultures. The first talk will focus on the use of frog stem cell explants to study the mechanochemical signaling in a multiciliated epithelium towards understanding pulmonary diseases and the role of genetic variants of uncertain significance (VUS) in these diseases. The next two talks will highlight how omics approaches, tissue engineering, and innovation in media formulation advance the field of cellular agriculture/aquaculture to make novel protein-rich foods that are cultivated entirely from animal cells cultured in vitro.

The transformation of bioenergy crops poses a significant bottleneck in realizing technological advancements for efficient plant-based bioenergy solutions. While focusing on non-food crops helps reduce competition between food and fuel production, many candidate species lack established in vitro protocols for recovering transgenic events. Limited genetic resources and biological barriers such as ploidy, non-seed propagation, and extended maturation periods further exacerbate this challenge. Nevertheless, recent advancements in precision genome engineering and in vitro techniques present promising opportunities to enhance and accelerate research in this area. This session will explore innovative protocols aimed at advancing bioenergy crop transformation.

The transformation of bioenergy crops poses a significant bottleneck in realizing technological advancements for efficient plant-based bioenergy solutions. While focusing on non-food crops helps reduce competition between food and fuel production, many candidate species lack established in vitro protocols for recovering transgenic events. Limited genetic resources and biological barriers such as ploidy, non-seed propagation, and extended maturation periods further exacerbate this challenge. Nevertheless, recent advancements in precision genome engineering and in vitro techniques present promising opportunities to enhance and accelerate research in this area. This session will explore innovative protocols aimed at advancing bioenergy crop transformation.

The In Vitro Animal Cell Sciences Section (IVACS) of the Society for In Vitro Biology is pleased to announce the 2025 Post Doctoral Oral Presentation Competition during the SIVB Annual meeting in Norfolk, VA. This competition encourages the exchange of scientific information between the post doctoral presenters, attendees and judges. Additionally, it provides an invaluable opportunity for post doctoral presenter to work on their presentation delivery and public speaking skills. Post doctoral fellows who wish to participate in this competition should check that option during the submission of their abstract to the 2025 SIVB Annual meeting. The oral presentations will be presented in-person at the meeting and a panel of expert judges will select the top presentation. Evaluation criteria will include experimental design, data analysis, proper interpretation of the results, originality of the study, technical difficulty, professionalism, the ability of the finalist to explain the research and answer questions, and importantly, adherence to the allocated time for the presentation. The Post Doctoral Oral Presentation Competition session serves to recognize and reward the research and achievements of outstanding students. The finalists will be presented with a certificate and a cash award during the 2025 SIVB Annual meeting. The DEADLINE for abstract submission for the Post Doctoral Oral Presentation Competition is January 31, 2025. Should you have any questions, please contact the SIVB Office or the session moderators. We are looking forward to reviewing your abstract!

An exploration and discussion of common quality issues that can impact plant multiplication and development both in vitro and in the greenhouse. As seen from the perspective of commercial tissue culture labs.

One of the major challenges in plant tissue culture is the genotype-dependency of many protocols, requiring a tailored approach for each new genotype. Additionally, genotypes that are easier to transform are often not ones preferred by farmers. This forces scientists working with inbred lines to go through multiple generations of backcrossing to transfer a transgene or gene edit from a genotype that is easy to transform to one that is more agriculturally desirable. In recent years, more and more efforts have been made to reduce genotype dependence of plant regeneration. In this session, speakers will highlight efforts to achieve genotype-independent plant regeneration and the positive outcomes on gene editing studies.

Bacterial pathogens have developed a diverse array of mechanisms to infect the human host across many different sites of the body. While some bacterial pathogens remain extracellular, others replicate intracellularly. In this session, we will explore the pathogenic mechanisms of atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Shigella species. All three bacterial pathogens utilize a Type 3 Secretion System for infection, yet the effects on host cells vary dramatically per bacterium and per host site of infection. We will explore advanced in vitro infection model systems of epithelial cells including those of the cornea and the intestine, as well as host signals sensed by the pathogen to induce virulence. This session will highlight model systems used to understand the pathogenic mechanisms of these diverse bacterial organisms. These studies underscore the complexity of host-pathogen interactions and the need to develop effective strategies to prevent or treat these bacterial infections.

Humanity in the present time is tackling two global spaciotemporal frontiers: climate change and space travel.  We are all feeling the gravity of global warming effects worldwide as geographical landscapes experience shifting climate changes that, if they continue to progress and there are no practical solutions to make them abate, will lead to many dystopian-like issues such as crop loss, food insecurity, loss of liveable habitats, population shrinkage, species extinction, ecosystem collapse, to name a few.  The urgency of global warming demands immediate actions and cross-discipline innovations to reduce carbon emissions and generate carbon-neutral clean energy.  Equally important is the frontier of space travel, the idea of which is always fascinated by humanity because of the mysteries of the universe, the ingenuity and undefeated perseverance of the human race to defy the impossibles (i.e., humans will do whatever it takes to travel into space), and perhaps by the desire to find another habitable Earth-like planet for a distant future of possible migration.  Multiple nations and various spaceflight enterprises will continue to plan research expeditions to fly astronauts to the International Space Station and beyond.  The future will invite opportunities for not only deep space exploration for scientific pursuit and planetary discovery but also space tourism.  And yet we still don’t have all the answers/solutions to the unknowns associated with space travel. This Plenary Session will bring together world-leading experts from both IVACS and PBS sections of SIVB to share with us some of the current research activities and advances in these two global frontiers.

Cannabis regulations have shifted dramatically in recent years.  Many states have legalized medical and recreational use, and hemp has been legalized at the federal level.  A similar pattern has emerged internationally with countries such as Germany and Canada legalizing recreational cannabis productiona nd use.  As a result, cannabis has developed into a multi-billion-dollar international market and research into agricultural methods and biotechnology have flourished.  Of particular interest for cannabid breeders and producers is the manipulation of ploidy to expedite genetic gains and enhance production efficiency.  This session will focus on various aspects of ploidy manipulation in cannabis including advances in double haploid technology to develop true F1 hybrid seed, the development of seedless triploids to facilitate efficient outdoor production, and various other aspects of ploidy manipulation.  Together, this will provide insights into the current and future applications of ploidy manipulation in cannabis breeding and production.

Agriculture-led growth, when driven by technology and innovation, is a proven formula for a diversified economy, greater prosperity for smallholder farmers and consumers, and climate change adaptation and even mitigation.  For genome editing, policy, regulatory, and technical challenges in Africa have been a millstone that Africa scientists have had to bear while other regions and countries take full advantage of the technology for innumerable crop improvements. Through the perseverance and persistence of African leaders, attitudes and investments are changing.  More scientists are being trained and infrastructure in African laboratories is being strengthened.  Science-based, evidence-based policy and regulation is being implemented in more African countries each year. Edited staple crops are being evaluated in the field and treated as conventionally-bred crops, with no need for onerous confined field trial regulations.  The donor community is addressing challenges with a greater focus on local scientists and local challenges. The private sector has stepped up with agreements, training, and technology transfer. Much more remains to be done to put African scientists, working in Africa, on an even footing with other regions and thereby creating an African bioeconomy with good jobs and opportunities. Speakers at this workshop will share their experiences in building this bioeconomy while explaining remaining hurdles to clear for a vibrant and productive sector in new breeding technologies.

This session will explore cutting-edge innovations in drug, gene, and vaccine development and delivery in both humans and animals. As zoonotic disease and shared health challenges between humans and animals become increasingly prominent, there is a critical need for integrated approaches that leverage advancements in both fields. Experts will discuss novel drug and gene delivery systems, such as lipid nanoparticles and viral methods, alongside strategies to enhance vaccine efficacy. This session will highlight how these innovations are shaping the future of healthcare, improving therapeutic precision, and addressing critical health challenges in both human and veterinary medicine.

From “cells to crops” encompasses ability of plant cells to regenerate into a complete plant combined with effective biomolecular delivery and modification of genetic makeup of the plant cells that ultimately leads to creation of new crop varieties with improved traits. Technological advances in biotechnology have accelerated development of improved crop, but their deployment relies on global regulatory framework. Therefore, innovative methods to generate transgene free plants to overcome regulatory hurdles holds tremendous potential in faster introduction and deployment of new improved varieties. The breakthroughs in transgene free delivery include Ribonucleoprotein (RNPs) systems, nanoparticles, transient expression of Clustered Regularly Inter-spaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) reagents, grafting wildtype shoots on transgenic donor root stocks, plasmid coated carbon dots, Agrobacterium engineering, viral delivery systems, and more. While these strategies are promising there are areas that can be challenging such as efficient delivery of tools and regeneration of edited plants from the edited cells. In this session, we will discuss biomolecule delivery methods for successful gene editing, recovery of transgene free plants, and their applications to improve crop productivity, resilience, and nutritional quality. The presentations will cover use of nanomaterials to facilitate DNA delivery, protoplast isolation and regeneration, and breakthroughs in gene-editing techniques that address key agricultural challenges.