Future task of genebanks - perspectives for the conservation of plant genetic resources
BMLEH & IBV dialogue event on 3-4. November 2025 at the BMLEH in Bonn (hybrid)
A well-structured gene bank landscape has grown in Germany over many decades. Thanks to the significant personal commitment of many individuals, unique collections have been built and interconnected.
But gene bank work is a marathon, not a sprint. How can these valuable collections be preserved for the future? What new challenges will need to be overcome? What questions will the future hold? What services do users of genetic resources expect from gene banks? What do gene banks themselves need for their work?
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Home Affairs and the Information and Coordination Center for Biological Diversity (IBV) of the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food invite you to an information and discussion event in which we will jointly examine the challenges of the future and outline possible solutions. In particular, we will also examine the needs of different user groups.
Note: this event is in German.
Preliminary program
Monday, November 3, 2025 |
| Registration with welcome lunch (from 11:30 am) |
Welcome address (12:30 - 12:40) Mr. Olaf Schäfer Head of the sub-department “Climate Protection, Biodiversity, Fisheries, Bioeconomy” at the BMLEH |
| Topic block 1: Ex-situ conservation of plant genetic resources in Germany – today and in the future |
Lectures (12:40 - 1:40 p.m.) “From gene bank to biological-digital resource center” Prof. Dr. Nils Stein (IPK) Head of the Gene Bank Department at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) “On the challenges of a living collection” Prof. Dr. Henryk Flachowsky (JKI) Director of the Institute for Fruit Breeding Research at the Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) “The contribution of private conservators to the ex situ conservation of plant genetic resources” Hans-Joachim Bannier Olderdissen Fruit Arboretum |
Poster exhibition on gene banks in Germany and seed archives in conservation initiatives (1:40 p.m. - 2:40 p.m.) Tour of the poster exhibition in small groups with opportunities to get to know and exchange ideas with the gene bank managers and maintainers |
World Café 1 on challenges in the long-term conservation of plant genetic resources in gene banks (2:40–4:20 p.m.) The following online workshop is offered in parallel: Special features of the conservation of ornamental plant genetic resources – challenges, possible solutions and recommendations for policy Dr. Patrick Knopf, Botanical Garden Rombergpark / Westfalenpark; Dr. Hartwig Schepker, Botanical Garden and Rhododendron Park Bremen and Katja Näthke, Federal Plant Variety Office |
| Coffee break (4:20 - 4:40 p.m.) |
| Presentation of the results from World Café 1 (4:40 - 5:10 p.m.) |
Lecture (5:10 - 5:40 p.m.) “Best practice examples from international gene bank work” Dr. Heike Baumüller Strategic Advisor to the Managing Director of the Crop Trust |
| Closing discussion and outlook for Day 2 (5:40 - 6:30 p.m.) |
| The evening concludes with a shared dinner in the BMLEH canteen (from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.) |
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 |
| Arrival (08:30 - 09:00) |
| Wrap-up of Day 1 (09:00 - 09:10) |
| Topic block 2: What do users of plant genetic resources expect from gene banks? |
Lectures (9:10 - 10:10) “What is the need for pre-breeding?” Prof. Dr. Friedrich Longin Head of the Wheat Group at the State Seed Breeding Institute of the University of Hohenheim “What service do breeders expect from gene banks?” Dr. Tanja Gerjets Cereal Research Coordination Officer and proWheat Manager at the Association for the Promotion of Plant Innovation (GFPi) “What are the needs of research?” Dr. Katharina Jung Postdoc at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Zurich |
| Coffee break (10:10 - 10:40) |
| World Café 2 on challenges in using gene bank material (10:40 - 12:20) |
| Presentation of the results from World Café 2 (12:20 - 12:50) |
| Final discussion and outlook on the next steps (12:50 - 13:15) |
| End of the event (1:15 p.m.) |
