Indian scientist returning to UO roots to discuss breakthrough

EUGENE, Ore. -- (Aug. 12, 2008) -- Plant scientist Imran Siddiq of India returns to the University of Oregon, where he earned his doctorate in 1989, for a public talk Friday, Aug. 15, on his recently published breakthrough that could lead to long-term vigor of hybrid-bred crops.

Siddiq, a scientist at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad, India, will speak at 3 p.m. in 214 Klamath Hall, 1370 Franklin Blvd. His talk, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the UO's Institute of Molecular Biology.

In February, Siddiq received international praise for his publication in the journal Nature on the identification of a genetic mutation that drives apomixis, a process in which some plants reproduce asexually, resulting in offspring that are identical to their mother plants. While this process occurs in many wild species, including dandelions and blackberries, it does not happen in major production crops. His discovery, using Arabidopsis (flowering plants such as cabbage and mustard), offers hope that crop scientists can reduce the normally occurring reproductive-based breakdown of genetic improvements that are introduced in hybrid crops.

About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of 62 of the leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. Membership in the AAU is by invitation only. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.

Editor's note: Siddiq will be available to meet with media and other interested visitors after the seminar and throughout the afternoon.

Media Contact: Jim Barlow, director of science and research communications, 541-346-3481, jebarlow@uoregon.edu

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