CEBAR Expert Seminar Series 4/2026
Speaker: Prof. Dr. Ming-Tsair Chan (Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taiwan)
Date: 17 th July 2026 (Friday)
Time: 11.00 am – 12.00 pm
Venue: The Cube, Level 4, Research Management & Innovation Complex, Universiti Malaya
Title: Genetic Strategies for Accelerating Flowering
LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED!
Several cutting-edge biotechnological strategies aim to address challenges in the cultivation of Phalaenopsis orchids, particularly their extended growth duration and the significant energy demands associated with flowering control. By employing advanced techniques such as functional genomics, transcriptomics, and plant transformation methods, this research targets the genetic mechanisms governing the orchid's flowering cycle. Using Agrobacterium-mediated gene transformation and virus- induced gene silencing (VIGS), multiple flowering-related genes have been identified and characterized. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the PaFTL gene functions as a floral repressor, with molecular studies confirming its interaction with PaFD and 14-3-3 proteins to suppress spike initiation under elevated temperatures. Furthermore, CRISPR-Cas9 technology has been utilized to knock out these repressor genes, successfully inducing early flowering in vitro and significantly shortening the cultivation period.
This study establishes a promising biotechnological framework for enhancing orchid blooming by deciphering temperature-dependent spiking mechanisms and modifying genes such as PaFTL. The findings present a sustainable and energy-efficient alternative to conventional temperature control practices in commercial horticulture, paving the way for improved cultivation efficiency.
For further enquiries, please contact Ms. Nor Hidayah Ismail at +603-7967 6990 or nor_hidayah@um.edu.my