Cereal and grass researchers congregate in Reading

The Department of Crop Science in the school of Agriculture, Policy and Development at the University of Reading is hosting MonoGram 2023, the annual meeting of the MonoGram Network, which aims to promote coordination and information flow amongst UK researchers with an active interest in small grain cereal and grass research.  

The MonoGram Network was formed in 2002 and members range from researchers, students, commercial scientists and plant breeders. The Network provides a robust link between small grain cereal research and commercial exploitation. Monogram includes both basic and more applied research and its members span disciplines including plant genetics, physiology, pathology, breeding, and bioinformatics.  

Monogram 2023 will welcome 160 delegates to the University’s Whiteknights Campus to explore topics ranging from the biochemical and genetic basis of the perfect cookie making wheat to manipulating photosynthesis to boost crop productivity in a warming world. 

The 3-day meeting will allow delegates from academia and industry to report and discuss the latest discoveries and developments in the field, forge new opportunities for collaboration and to nurture and celebrate the next generation of cereal and grass researchers, with dedicated speaking slots and awards for early career researchers. 

Dr Paola Tosi, Head of the Department of Crop Science and organiser of Monogram 2023 said: “We are delighted to welcome the Monogram research community to our award-winning campus and are looking forward to Reading being the crucible for discussion of cutting-edge solutions relevant to the big issues of the day surrounding food production, from mitigating climate change impacts and decarbonizing agriculture to nutritional health.” 

MonoGram 23 is running from Monday 3–5 April 2023. 

You can find out more information on the conference website.