A special briefing on grain and oilseed breeding technologies — much in the news lately — takes place right before AACC International (AACCI) opens its annual meeting at Albuquerque, NM, Sept. 29 to Oct 2.

“Sustainability, Genetics and Future Cultivars” is set for early Sunday afternoon, Sept. 29. Both transgenic and traditional methods will be covered, along with updates about molecular detection methods to manage authentication in the food supply chain. Speakers also will discuss new crops, potential food benefits and identity preservation in the supply chain.

Although no fee will be charged to annual meeting participants for this session, pre-registration is required.

The “hot topic” session was organized by Anne Bridges, AACCI, St. Paul, MN, and Ray Shillito, Bayer CropScience LP, Durham, NC, and sponsored by the International Food Biotechnology Committee of the International Life Sciences Institute.

AACCI plans additional examination of cereal genetics during its annual meeting by offering a symposium on “Wheat Improvement in the 21st Century.” Organized by Michael Tilley, USDA ARS CGAHR, Manhattan, KS, this session brings together leading university and industry scientists. It will cover wheat breeding methods, wheat genomics and improvements in wheat starches and concludes with a look at the changing wheat industry. GMOs will be considered by a speaker during a different symposium, this one discussing food safety in the global supply chain.

Advance registration for the annual meeting closes June 27, with regular fees available until Aug. 29. Details are at www.aaccnet.org/meet.