IUFRO Tree Biotechnology
2027 Meeting
Intelligent Forests and Society
25-30 April 2027
Stellenbosch, South Africa
The Meeting
The IUFRO Tree Biotechnology Meeting is the biennial international conference focussed on tree genomics and genetics, molecular breeding, data science and everything tree biotechnology. This year’s meeting will take place at the Protea Hotel and Conference Centre near Stellenbosch in the Western Cape Winelands of South Africa.
The meeting will be co-hosted by Stellenbosch University and the University of Pretoria. It is an opportunity for the international community of tree biotechnology researchers to gather and learn about recent advances, learn new methods and consider how these new technologies can be used for genetic improvement in a changing and developing world. This is the biennial meeting of the IUFRO Working Party 2.04.06 (Molecular biology of forest trees) and the previous meeting was held in Annapolis, Maryland, USA in August 2024.
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Meeting Program
The meeting will begin with a Welcome Reception on the evening of Sunday, April 25 , and will conclude on the afternoon of Friday, April 30 . Keynote and other oral presentations will be the mornings as well as the afternoons of Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Wednesday and Friday will only have a morning session. There will also be lightning talks and poster presentations. Tuesday evening will see a social pizza and trivia night, allowing early career researchers to connect with experienced individuals and gain insights. Wednesday afternoon will feature a visit to the stunning Banhoek Valley and surrounding winelands areas. The meeting will end at lunchtime on Friday afternoon.
The Program Overview is available here and the detailed Presentation and Poster Schedule will be available closer to the time.
Session topics will include:
Session 1: Biological, evolutionary and ecological insights from 'omics
Session 2: Application of AI in tree genomics and biotechnology
Session 3: Genes, development, and physiology
Session 4: Biotechnology for biomaterials and bioeconomy
Session 5: Genetic engineering and reproductive biology of forest trees
Session 6: Genomics and phenomics for tree improvement
Session 7: Trees in changing landscapes (biotic and abiotic stress)
Session 8: Translating genomics and biotechnology to practice
Plenary and Session Keynote Speakers
The meeting will feature keynote and plenary speakers from the Tree Biotechnology community as well as a number of leading scientists from outside the community to provide insight into the rapidly developing field of plant biotechnology.
A list of Plenary and Keynote speakers will be provided soon.
Information
Venue
The meeting, including the main Poster sessions, Welcome reception and Conference dinner will be hosted by the Protea Hotel and Conference Center in Stellenbosch, South Africa, as shown in the map below.
More information about Stellenbosch can be found here.
Accommodation
Accommodation will be available at the Protea Hotel and a reservation link offering discounted rates will be made available. More information can be found here.
Transport
Cape Town International Airport is around 40 kilometres from the conference centre. Services such as Uber are available.
Visa Information
Individauls may need to apply for a visitors visa to enter South Africa. More information about visa applications can be found here. It is encouraged to apply sooner rather than later to avoid delays or issues with traveling. The meeting organisers will provide a Visa Invitation Letter to registered participants upon request.
Conference Tour
Wednesday, 28 April, 2027
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Afternoon activities in the Banhoek Valley and sundownders at Boschendal
Tour Description
The heart of the mid-conference break is to offer a cultural experience through exploring the beauty the Western Cape winelands of South Africa. We plan to take the entire conference group to a selection of local wine estates where various activities, such as wine tasting, hiking, horse riding and biking will be available. This will offer the opportunity to spend time wandering through the lush rolling autumn-coloured vineyards or the wild and rugged, but beautifully diverse Cape Fynbos. These picturesque views are paired with exceptional wines and exquisite foods. The day will end off with sundowners and fine dinning at Boschendal.
Wine farms in the area:
Activities:
Registration
Early bird registration will be available from September 7 , 2026 until January 22 , 2027. Late registration will be available until April 16 , 2027.
Registration fees can be found here.
Students are required to email a letter from their supervisor to the Conference Secretariat (email) confirming that they are a registered postgraduate and therefore qualify for the discounted fees.
Postdoctoral fellows and researchers will pay the indicated registration fees.
Please send all questions with regards to online registrations, changes, cancellations, payments and receipt/invoice requests.
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Abstract Submission
Abstracts for Oral Presentation
Submission of abstracts for oral presentations will open on September 7 , 2026 and close on January 22 , 2027. These submissions will be evaluated and announced on February 3 , 2027. Authors selected for presentations are encouraged to also bring posters in increase interaction during the poster sessions. Please contact the Conference Secretary if you intend to bring a poster in addition to your presentation.
Poster Abstracts
Submissions for poster presentations will close on April 9 , 2027. Poster authors will be required to register their poster slots and indicate their preference for doing a lightning presentation.
Lightning Talks
Authors selected for poster presentations will have the opportunity to present a two minute “lightning talk” with two slides, including a title and overview slide, summarising their results. This will place the poster in the larger context of the meeting and allow for authors to invite attendees to discuss their findings during the poster session immediately afterwards. This is optional and a total of 60 lightning talk slots will be available.
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Sponsors and Exhibitors
Opportunity for Student Sponsorships
It is encouraged that participants approach local funding organisations and industry partners for the sponsorship of postgraduate students attending the meeting. Companies and organisations sponsoring students directly or through the meeting organizers (travel, registration, accommodation and subsistence) will be acknowledged as Silver, Gold or Platinum sponsors. Companies and organisations supporting student attendance who wish to be listed as sponsors on the website and in conference materials should send letters of commitment to the organisers.
General meeting sponsorships are also welcomed and sponsors can register and make online payments via the link below.
About IUFRO
IUFRO is a non-profit, non-governmental international network of forest scientists, which promotes global cooperation in forest-related research and enhances the understanding of the ecological, economic and social aspects of forests and trees. IUFRO is "the" global network for forest science cooperation. It unites more than 15,000 scientists in almost 700 Member Organizations in over 110 countries, and is a member of the International Council for Science (ICSU). Scientists cooperate in IUFRO on a voluntary basis.
IUFRO Working Party Coordinators
Coordinator: Carsten Kuelheim
Deputies: Sanushka Naidoo
Organising Committee
Local Committee
Zander Myburg
Dave Drew
Nanette Christie
Leandra Moller
Sanushka Naidoo
Almuth Hammerbacher
Tuan Duong
Rian Pierneef
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
University of Pretoria, South Africa
University of Pretoria, South Africa
University of Pretoria, South Africa
University of Pretoria, South Africa
