In the morning of December 19, the press conference on the latest achievements in the water lily genome and the early evolution of flowering plants was held at Changsheng Conference Hall of FAFU. The research team led by Professor Zhang Liangsheng of FAFU published online their latest research titled “The water lily genome and the early evolution of flowering plants” in the academic journal Nature on December19. The research achieved the high-quality genome sequence of the blue-petal water lily (Nymphaea colorate), revealed the early evolution of angiosperms, and analyzed the biosynthesis pathway of the floral scents and the genes crucial for the biosynthesis of the blue petal.

Press Conference of Latest Achievements in Water Lily Genome  

This research was completed jointly by FAFU, Nanjing Agricultural University, Ghent University, Fudan University, and Pennsylvania State University. Professor Zhang Liangsheng is the first author and also the only corresponding author of the paper. FAFU is the signature unit of both the first and corresponding author. The press conference was attended by president Lan Siren, vice president Zheng Baodong, representatives of the Education Department of Fujian Province, Science and Technology Department of Fujian Province, Fujian Academy of Agricultural sciences, Fujian Provincial Department of Forestry and other relevant units, Professor Zhang Liangsheng, key members of the research team, cooperative units, representatives of relevant news media, and representatives of teachers and students of FAFU. Vice president Zheng Baodong presided over the conference.

President Lan Siren making a speech  

Professor Liangsheng Zhang introducing the process of implementing the project and the major scientific discoveries

Correspondant: Publicity Department  Cao Jiayi  

Photogragher: Publicity Department  Zheng Qirong   Li Yuhan

Translator: Chen Xiaoyan, International College

Revision: Wang Xian, International College