Spring CRISPR Workshop Q&A

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who can apply to attend the workshop?
   Answer: We welcome applications from scientists, students, and postdoctoral researchers affiliated with academia, government institutions, or private industry. Both U.S.-based and international participants are encouraged to apply for workshop attendance.
    
2. How do I apply to attend the workshop?
   Answer: 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. 

3. What information should be included in my "Statement of Interest"?
   Answer: 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. 
       

4. What is the cost of registration to attend the workshop?
   Answer: The registration fees for this 3.5-day lecture/hands-on workshop are as follows:

   ISU graduate student	$150
   ISU postdoc/professional	$200
   Non-ISU graduate student	$300
   Non-ISU postdoc	$400
   Non-ISU professional	$600
   Industry	$850

    

5. What are the application deadlines? 
   Answer: There are two deadlines:
   1. You must first send your email application as described in item 2 of the Q&A. This application deadline is March 20, 2026.
   2. You will be notified by March 27, 2026, whether you have been accepted to attend the workshop. Those accepted will be directed to a website link to officially register for the workshop. This registration deadline is April 17, 2026. 
       
6. Why the two-step application process? What happens if I am not selected? 
   Answer: The two-step application process is necessary because classroom space is limited, and we want to ensure that those who most need training in transformation and genome editing are given priority. If you are not selected initially, your name will be placed on a waiting list. Should any cancellations occur, we will contact you promptly to offer an opportunity to attend. 
    
7. How do I access further updates and information regarding the workshop?
   Answer: Updates regarding the workshop schedule, activities, and lectures will be posted online at the CBC website (https://www.cropbioengineering.iastate.edu/) and PlantGENE website (https://plantgene.sivb.org/). 

Additional questions about the workshop (and not covered by the above information) can be sent via email to Kan Wang (kanwang@iastate.edu) and Erin Thompson (erinth@iastate.edu).