PAG 2026

The IWGSC has led the effort to develop a high quality, reference sequence of the large, complex (hexaploid), bread wheat genome: IWGSC RefSeq v1.0 and annotation v1.1 as well as IWGSC RefSeq v2.1 and accompanying annotation. The IWGSC began a new wheat diversity project to bring to platinum quality the reference sequence and 12 landraces that reflect the breadth of wheat diversity. In the IWGSC workshop this year, there will be presentations on latest frontiers in genome biology, fundamental and applied, leading to significant advances in wheat science. As usual, the workshop will also includes the presentation of the IWGSC-Feuillet Early Career Award. This award is given to a young scientist nominated by anyone in the wheat community and selected by the IWGSC leadership in recognition of outstanding achievement.

Anna Backhaus has been awarded the 2026 IWGSC–Feuillet Early Career Award and will receive her award at the Plant & Animal Genome Conference (PAG) in San Diego, California (USA) in January 2026. She will also present a talk during the IWGSC main workshop on Saturday 10 January 2026.

The following scientist will present their research at the IWGSC Workshop at PAG33, on Saturday 10 January 2026.