Abstract - This presentation will explore the application of precision gene editing technologies for trait enhancement in grain and forage crops, with a focus on the integrated platform capabilities developed at Agriculture Victoria (AgVic). Dr. Sareena Sahab will provide an overview of the New Breeding Technologies Platform, highlighting the tools and delivery systems that enable efficient, precise, and regulatory-aligned genome editing in key crops. The talk will showcase recent advancements in grain and forage crop genome editing using Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs) and CRISPR-RNP (ribonucleoprotein) complexes, developed through national and international collaborations. These approaches have enabled the generation of transgene-free, precisely edited lines targeting important agronomic traits, demonstrating the potential of precision breeding to accelerate crop improvement while aligning with evolving regulatory standards.

Biography - Dr. Sareena Sahab is a Senior Research Scientist at Agriculture Victoria (DEECA), leading the New Breeding Technologies Platform at AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, and she holds a joint appointee position as senior research fellow at La Trobe University. With over 20 years of experience in agricultural biotechnology, she specialises in gene editing and trait improvement across crops such as canola, wheat, grain legumes, and forage species. Her work bridges fundamental science and applied innovation, with a strong focus on translating research into scalable, industry-ready solutions. Sareena’s expertise includes crop genome engineering, molecular biology, biochemistry, microscopy, flow cytometry, molecular plant pathology and physiology. Dr Sahab works collaboratively with national and international research organisations across both public and private sectors, contributing to strategic innovation in plant science. Prior to joining AgVic in 2009, Sareena held a postdoctoral position at the Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, USA, where she led the development of regulatory-compliant gene delivery systems for cassava transformation as part of the Virus Resistance in Cassava (VIRCA) project funded by Monsanto/Bayer and the Gates Foundation.