South Australia is on track to becoming an international hub for plant biotechnology research with the relocation of the International Triticeae Mapping Initiative (ITMI) headquarters to Adelaide.

The relocation of ITMI was recently confirmed at a gathering of wheat and barley researchers in Minneapolis, USA. The ITMI management office will relocate to Adelaide in January 2005.

ITMI is the key international forum for the discussion and coordination of public sector activities in the genetics and genomics of wheat, barley, rye and their wild relatives.

“For more than 10 years, ITMI has been coordinating international efforts and programs directed into genetics research of wheat, barley and rice,” says Professor Peter Langridge, a member of the ITMI Planning Committee and CEO of The Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics (ACPFG).

“ITMI has been crucial in bringing together public sector researchers from around the world. The collaborative spirit fostered by ITMI has been key in keeping cereal research at the forefront of scientific advances.”

Professor Langridge says ITMI’s decision to relocate reflects the high regard for South Australian biotechnology research.

“The relocation places Adelaide at the centre of cereal genetic and genomics research,” he says.

“With the head office in Adelaide, it will add further strength to the city’s already thriving biotechnology sector. We will be able to focus attention on the activities being undertaken in Australia and this new role will provide a crucial mechanism for ACPFG to provide input into international wheat and barley improvement programs.

“It will contribute to technology development and growth in agricultural research in Australia."