FSU Biological and Forensic Science Faculty Shine at PAG32
SAN DIEGO – Fayetteville State University Biological and Forensic Science faculty made a remarkable impact at the 32nd International Plant and Animal Genome Conference (PAG32), held January 10-15 in San Diego. PAG32, renowned for being one of the largest gatherings of researchers and professionals in genomics, provided FSU scholars a global platform to showcase their groundbreaking work in agricultural and life sciences.
Abdelmajid Kassem, Ph.D., professor of plant biology, and Jiazheng (John) Yuan, Ph.D., associate professor and assistant department chair, led the charge with expertly organized workshops, engaging oral presentations, and impactful poster contributions that highlighted FSU’s growing prominence in cutting-edge research.
Prof. Abdelmajid Kassem’s Workshop: Data Science for Agricultural and Life Sciences
Prof. Kassem’s workshop brought together leading experts to discuss the integration of data science and genomics in agriculture and life sciences. The workshop featured insightful presentations, including contributions from FSU’s Bioinformatics Research Group and key collaborators:
FSU's Bioinformatics Research Group: Machine Learning and Phylogenetics in Angiosperms
Presented by Prof. Abdelmajid Kassem, this talk highlighted FSU’s efforts in leveraging machine learning to analyze phylogenetic relationships in angiosperms, providing new insights into evolutionary biology.
Analysis of Core Learning Outcomes in FSU’s Curriculum: Insights from Campus-Wide Survey
Presented by Prof. Jiazheng (John) Yuan, this analysis reflected FSU’s commitment to academic excellence by identifying and enhancing key learning outcomes across disciplines.
Other presentations explored advanced DNA sequencing, soybean genetics, and data management, creating a comprehensive discussion on the role of bioinformatics in advancing science education and research.
Prof. Jiazheng (John) Yuan’s Workshop: Bioactive, Nutraceutical, and Therapeutic Molecules in Plants
Prof. Yuan’s workshop delved into the molecular and genetic mechanisms behind bioactive compounds in plants, emphasizing their applications in nutrition and medicine. The workshop included the following standout presentations:
QTL and Candidate Genes for Seed Mineral Nutrients and Application of Machine Learning Models to Predict Seed Composition Traits in Soybean
Presented by Prof. Abdelmajid Kassem, this talk showcased the application of machine learning to predict key seed composition traits, demonstrating the transformative potential of computational biology in plant breeding.
7Multi-Locus GWAS Mapping and Candidate Gene Analysis of Anticancer Peptide Lunasin in Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.)
Presented by Prof. Jiazheng (John) Yuan, this presentation unveiled the genetic underpinnings of lunasin, a peptide with promising anticancer properties, and its potential implications for health and nutrition.
FSU Students Shine with Poster Presentations
FSU undergraduate students also made their mark at PAG32, presenting posters that reflected their dedication and mastery of bioinformatics under the mentorship of FSU faculty:
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolutionary Insights into the Lamiaceae Family: Analyzing rbcl Gene Sequences across 50 Species.
Presented by Kenneth Lamar Leaks and Prof. Abdelmajid Kassem, this study demonstrated the power of molecular phylogenetics in unraveling the evolutionary history of plant species.
Phylogenetic Insights into the Evolutionary Relationships within Fabaceae Using rbcL Gene Sequences: A Comparative Study of 50 Species.
Presented by Amir El and Prof. Abdelmajid Kassem, this study demonstrated the power of molecular phylogenetics in unraveling the evolutionary history of plant species.
Multi-Locus GWAS Mapping and Candidate Gene Analysis of Anticancer Peptide Lunasin in Soybean.
Presented by Prof. John Yuan, this collaborative effort showcased the potential of GWAS in identifying key genes linked to valuable health-related traits in crops.
FSU’s Growing Leadership in Genomics
The strong presence of FSU faculty and students at PAG32 underscores the university’s leadership in integrating bioinformatics, data science, and genomics. By fostering collaboration and innovation, FSU continues to pave the way for advancements in agriculture, health, and education.
“Our participation at PAG32 reflects the hard work and commitment of our faculty and students to push the boundaries of science,” said Prof. Abdelmajid Kassem. “We are proud to showcase FSU’s contributions on such a prestigious platform.”
About PAG
The Plant and Animal Genome Conference is the leading forum for presenting and discussing advancements in genetic research across plants and animals. Attended by thousands of scientists, researchers, and industry professionals (3,600+ this year), PAG provides a vital platform for collaboration and innovation in the field of genomics.