We have designated three major research centers at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis, UCD) as our international benchmark center. Through systematic benchmarking, strategic competition and alignment, and continuous refinement of our research capabilities, we aim to further elevate our scientific capacity and deepen substantive collaboration between the two institutions.
From October 27 to 31, 2024, our center—led by the Principal Investigator, Academician Chang-Hsien Yang, together with the PIs of all sub-projects—conducted an on-site visit and academic exchange at UC Davis. During the visit, we held in-depth discussions with Dr. Savithramma Dinesh-Kumar (Member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and Chair of the Department of Plant Biology) and Dr. John J. Harada. Following these discussions, both sides reached a consensus to integrate three major research centers at UC Davis—(1) the Genome Center, (2) the Seed Biotechnology Center, and (3) the Plant Cell Biology Center—into a unified benchmark framework serving as our designated international benchmark center.
The research scope of this benchmark center comprehensively aligns with our core focus areas, including orchids and floricultural crops, rice, food biotechnology, and plant disease resistance. It will serve as a key partner for future learning, academic exchange, and collaborative development.
The Genome Center (GC) is centered on genomics and addresses grand challenges spanning agriculture and medicine. Equipped with world-class sequencing and bioinformatics platforms, it leads interdisciplinary research development and stands as an international model for multi-disciplinary integration.
The Seed Biotechnology Center (SBC) holds international leadership in seed science and biotechnology applications. It focuses on crop improvement, industrial translation, and technology dissemination, while providing forward-looking education and technical support for global agriculture.
The Plant Cell Biology Center (PCBC), established by Dr. Savithramma Dinesh-Kumar (Member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences), brings together experts in biology, plant science, food science, and plant disease resistance. Its research directions are highly aligned with the objectives of our sub-projects, laying a solid foundation for deepened bilateral collaboration.
Through systematic exchange and structured mutual learning with this UCD benchmark center, we will strengthen international collaboration in plant genomics, biotechnology, food science, and plant disease resistance; accelerate integration and translational applications; and further consolidate our leading position in advanced international research on plant and food biotechnology.
