Public Research Seminar by Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (EOAS) Thrust, HKUST (GZ) - AI-Powered Genomics for a Sustainable Food Future
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Advancements in cutting-edge technologies and genomics are revolutionizing the food system, offering innovative solutions to address food security in the face of global challenges. In this seminar, we will explore how high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI), integrated with genomic data, accelerate genetic diversity analysis and predictive modeling for crop improvement and sustainable agriculture. Using rice as an example, we will discuss the power of pan-genome studies and large-scale resequencing projects in uncovering genetic diversity and rare variants for breeding climate-resilient crops. We will then discuss how HPC enables efficient processing of large genomic datasets and facilitates variant detection, supporting genomic diversity analysis and selection strategies. Additionally, we will highlight applications of AI (i.e., machine learning and deep learning) in genomics, including bio-image identification, phenotype prediction and protein structure modeling with AlphaFold, to enhance our understanding of complex traits for yield and resilience. By integrating AI into genomics, we can bridge the gap between fundamental research and applied agricultural science, paving the way for developing more resilient and productive crops. This seminar will showcase key case studies, methodologies, and future directions in AI-powered genomics, contributing to a more sustainable global food system.
Dr Yong ZHOU received his PhD in Crop Science from Sichuan Agricultural University (SICAU, Chengdu, China) in 2017. He worked as a postdoc at the Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS, Shanghai, China) from 2017 to 2019. Following that, he began a new chapter in his career by joining King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST, Saudi Arabia) as a postdoctoral fellow. He was promoted to research scientist in 2023.
His research at KAUST has been dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of genetics, pan-genomics, and resilience in major crops (e.g., rice) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s native species (e.g., Najil Fish). His research leverages large omics datasets, high-performance computing (HPC), and artificial intelligence (AI) modeling to help with food security under global challenges like climate change and growing population.
The accomplishments from his research and collaborations have resulted in nine first-author or co-first-author publications, including Nature Communications, PNAS, Molecular Plant, etc. He is a frequent speaker at international conferences and workshops, including sessions on bioinformatics, pan-genomics, and AI applications in agriculture. He has hosted and co-organized specialized workshops such as the "High-Performance Computing in Bioinformatics" workshop in Thailand and "Bioinformatics Applications in Agriculture" in Little Rock. He actively collaborates with leading institutions worldwide, including the University of Arizona (UoA), Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), New York University (NYU), Penn State University, University of Liverpool (UoL), the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), as well as global networks at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) and the University of California, Riverside (UCR). He has also established strong research partnerships with institutions in China, such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU), and Sichuan Agricultural University (SICAU). As an active peer reviewer and guest editor for nine journals, he contributes to advancing genomics and computational biology research. Additionally, He is leading a team for “Plant Science Family Night” annually to engage society in our science.
Looking ahead, He is motivated to push the boundaries of knowledge and contribute meaningfully to advancing food security, bridging the gap between pure research and applied science, positively impacting society, and nurturing the next generation of scientists.
Wenfeng LI<phoenixwfl@hkust-gz.edu.cn>