Unlock the power of plant genome editing! 

Join our 3.5 day (Friday will be a half day workshop) hands-on workshop to master CRISPR-Cas guide RNA design, vector construction, and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation for maize, sorghum, and soybean. Perfect for researchers advancing basic or applied plant science, this immersive experience offers practical skills, cutting-edge tools, and the potential to earn microcredentials.

Workshop Highlights

• Vector and CRISPR gRNA Design
  Create precise genome-editing tools for plant research
• Agrobacterium Handling and Agroinfection
  Master safe and effective transformation techniques
• Maize Immature Embryo Transformation
  Hands-on experience with key protocols
• Morphogenic Regulator-Assisted Transformation
  For monocots (maize, sorghum) and dicot (soybean)
• Plant Single-Cell Transcriptomics
  Overview of cutting-edge gene expression analyses

Potential opportunity to earn a microcredential badge after successfully completing the workshop.

Pricing

How to apply

To apply for workshop attendance, please email Professor Kan Wang (kanwang@iastate.edu) with the following attachments:

1. A PDF copy of your updated CV (maximum 3 pages)
2. A PDF copy of your "Statement of Interest" (maximum 1 page)

Please label each file with your name and the document type (e.g., FirstnameLastname-CV.pdf and FirstnameLastname-Statement.pdf). In your email, include a brief message expressing your interest in applying for the workshop.

Your "Statement of Interest" should include the following:

1. Your current position and institution/place of employment.
2. A brief outline of your relevant experience, including (but not limited to) sterile technique, microbial culture, plant tissue culture, transformation, and/or genome editing. For each skill, indicate the duration of experience and the specific plant species you have worked with. For example:
   1. tobacco tissue culture and transformation (3 mon)
   2. handling Agrobacterium strains (5 mon)
   3. DNA extraction and PCR (10 mon)
3. Why you would like to attend the workshop
4. What you hope to learn during the workshop
5. How you plan to apply the training and knowledge gained in your current or future work.

Please send applications to Professor Kan Wang kanwang@iastate.edu

Deadline for receiving applications: March 20, 2026

Travel Information

• Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is the closest airport to Ames, IA.
• There are many options for ground transportation from Des Moines to Ames.
• Hotels near Iowa State University (Ames, IA)

Event Flyer

Event Q&A

Invited members will be sent a link to register for event. Visit our event Q&A to see qualifications.