Europe: Integration of Molecular Data into DUS testing (IMODDUS)
The CPVO Administrative Council, when adopting the R&D Strategy for the period 2015-2020 in October 2015, set up a CPVO ad hoc working group for the promotion of the use of bio-molecular techniques (BMT) in DUS testing and variety identification, named IMODDUS.
The IMODDUS working group acts as a think-tank on how to best integrate BMTs into DUS testing. Its task is to assess and discuss new developments in BMTs and their potential use for DUS testing, variety identification and enforcement. Proposals to be considered by IMODDUS primarily come from the CPVO crop expert groups which identify relevant species for which these techniques would be promising. The aim is also to harmonize methodologies and to promote and propose R&D projects for co-funding by the CPVO.
The IMODDUS working group is composed of experts from the CPVO entrusted examination offices, experts from the breeding industry, as well as external experts from universities or other research institutes. The participants have knowledge and practical experience in DUS testing and in the use of BMTs in DUS testing. The working group is chaired by the President of the CPVO and the CPVO acts as coordinator for IMODDUS meetings.
For its first IMODDUS meeting, the CPVO has invited 18 experts to discuss potential R&D projects concerning the Apple, Tomato, Potato, Rose and Phalaenopsis species.
The CPVO will report on the meeting to its Administrative Council, its crop expert groups and to the UPOV-BMT working group.
For more information:
www.cpvo.europa.eu