The Center for Agricultural Biotechnology conducts researches on resource evaluation, germplasm innovation and genetic improvement for important agricultural crops, addressing the major agricultural issues related to low irradiation, high frigid climate and high rate of plant diseases and insect pests in the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River. With the rich biological resources in southwestern China and with an integrative approach that combines modern and conventional technologies, the researchers have developed a series of new crop varieties, having made the center an important R&D base for genetic breeding of crops in southwestern China. "Chuanyu" a famous brand created by the center, represents a series of new wheat varieties that are widely cultivated and is an example of its research achievements. The center has 5 professors and 9 scientists with doctorate degree. The center is sufficiently equipped and is capable of conducting research in cell and molecular biology, crop quality analysis and tissue culture. The researches are further supported by well-managed field bases for plant breeding and genetic improvement. 

Major Research Fields:

• Genetic improvement of the main crops in southwestern China, including wheat, rice, highland barley and buck-wheat;
• Evaluation and utilization of the main crops and special plant resources in southwestern China;
• Functional genomics and metabolomics in relation to diseases and insect pests resistance, stress tolerance, quality traits of plants;
• Development of new methods and technologies for plant breeding.  

Reseach Groups: