Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) recently hosted the 5th PlantEd Congress, organized with the support of TÜBİTAK by Faculty of Science member Assoc. Prof. Kubilay Yıldırım. The congress garnered significant attention from the global scientific community.

Launched in 2019, the PlantEd COST Action, in which Assoc. Prof. Yıldırım is an active steering committee member, has become an extensive platform bringing together scientists from Europe and beyond.

The congress, supported by TÜBİTAK's 2223-C Program, brought together academicians and researchers from 20 European countries and various universities in Türkiye at Ondokuz Mayıs University.

Addressing the challenges posed by global warming and climate change on agricultural production, the event highlighted the role of agricultural biotechnology and transgenic plant technologies in providing solutions. Innovations in genome editing and the potential to enhance plants’ resistance to environmental changes and diseases were discussed, emphasizing the transformative impact of CRISPR technology in ushering in a new era in plant breeding.

The congress concluded with various activities, presentations, and the traditional group photo session.