© University of Chile
The meeting is set to take place from 19 to 20 November in Puerto Varas, Chile, bringing together leading national and international experts in gene editing. Among the guest speakers are Dr Alison Van Eenennaam, cooperative extension specialist in animal genomics and biotechnology at the University of California-Davis, and Dr Nick Robinson, a researcher at NOFIMA in Norway. Robinson leads the CrispResist initiative, which is working to develop Atlantic salmon with increased resistance to sea lice using the coho salmon genomic base.
The conference aims to bring together researchers, public sector organisations, students, technology companies and aquaculture producers, providing a key platform to present the latest research on gene editing in aquaculture species. Streaming and simultaneous translation will be available for participants joining from around the world.
Registration is open for attendees and for submitting abstracts on research, regulation or commercial evaluations, which may be selected for poster or oral presentation. The submission deadline is 26 September, with full details on their website.
Dr José Manuel Yáñez, an academic and researcher in aquaculture genomics and genetics with extensive experience, is dean of the Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at the University of Chile and director of the EDIGEN initiative.
“Gene editing is a technology with transformative potential for the competitiveness, efficiency and sustainability of aquaculture. However, its responsible adoption requires an updated regulatory framework, open discussions and the active participation of all ecosystem stakeholders… In this context, the first International Meeting on Gene Editing in Aquaculture will not only be a space to present the latest scientific advances, but also a key opportunity to articulate visions from academia, industry and the public sector”, said Dr. Yáñez, in a press release.
The programme will cover a wide range of topics, from CRISPR-Cas9 and other gene-editing tools to case studies in aquaculture species, microbiome engineering and precision breeding. Sessions will also explore regulatory and ethical challenges, risk–benefit assessments, bioinformatics applications, and consumer perceptions of new genomic techniques.
A discounted registration fee is available until 18 October. More details are available by contacting edigen-favet@uchile.cl.
