Source: UNIV OF MINNESOTA submitted to NRP
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MICROBIAL GENOMES
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
NRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0204098
Grant No.
2005-35204-15993
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
2005-01700
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jul 15, 2005
Project End Date
May 14, 2006
Grant Year
2005
Program Code
[44.0]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
UNIV OF MINNESOTA
(N/A)
ST PAUL,MN 55108
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The completion of genome sequences for over 125 microbial organisms, including many of those which have a major impact on plant, animal and human health and food safety, has enabled scientists to make rapid strides in the development of cutting-edge technology and innovative approaches to understanding the basic mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis and new methods for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disease causing agents. To provide a platform for dissemination of information on recent progress in the area of microbial genomics and create an environment for fostering the exchange of scientific information and collaboration, we have proposed an International Conference on Microbial Gemones.
Animal Health Component
10%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
90%
Applied
10%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2122410104035%
3113910104035%
7124099104030%
Knowledge Area
212 - Pathogens and Nematodes Affecting Plants; 311 - Animal Diseases; 712 - Protect Food from Contamination by Pathogenic Microorganisms, Parasites, and Naturally Occurring Toxins;

Subject Of Investigation
4099 - Microorganisms, general/other; 3910 - Cross-commodity research--multiple animal species; 2410 - Cross-commodity research--multiple crops;

Field Of Science
1040 - Molecular biology;
Goals / Objectives
The objective of the proposed International Conference on Microbial Gemones is to provide a platform for dissemination of information on recent progress in the area of microbial genomics and create an environment for fostering the exchange of scientific information and collaboration. Topics of relevance to the USDA that will be covered to the conference will include metagenomics, population genomics and evolution, environmental genomics, comparative genomics and eukaryotic microbes, functional genomics and host-pathogen interactions including those involving animal and plant biosecurity; food safety, epidemiological approaches for food safety; biology of plant-microbe associations; animal protection; and, animal growth and nutrient utilization.
Project Methods
A three-day conference is planned so as to provide attendees with the opportunity to discuss the studies and findings of world-renowned scientists in the field and have the change to share their research with their peers at the conference's poster sessions. The proposed International Conference on Microbial Genomes will bring together people from academia, government and the private sector to discuss new advances in the field of microbial genomics, and serve as an excellent resource for those involved in developing and exploiting new microbial sequencing, computational, functional and other genomic-scale high-throughput technologies for understand the pathophysiology and epidemiology of microbes as well as host-microbe interactions. We have already assembled an outstanding team of scientists as the conference organization committee of the International Conference on Microbial Genomes, the meeting will be administered by The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR) and Genome Atlantic, and will take place at the Westin Nova Scotian in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Progress 07/15/05 to 05/14/06

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The International Conference on Microbial Genomics was held in Halifax, Canada, from the 13th through the 16 of April 2005. There were over 200 scientists in attendance. The conference provided a forum for the presentation and discussion of current research in microbial genomics, including many microbes of considerable significance to agriculture. The conference addressed scientific questions of importance to microbial phylogenomics including genome diversity and evolution, metagenomics, microbial pathogenomics, and comparative genomics, functional genomics and host-pathogen interactions. The overall objective of promoting interactions amongst students, postdoctoral fellows, and scientists from academia, government and industry were achieved through daily plenary sessions with invited speakers and selected presentations, and over 100 presentations at poster sessions during the conference. Overall, the program was a complete success with strong positive feedback received from the attendees. PARTICIPANTS: In addition to the PI, the organizing committee of the International Conference of Microbial Genomes consisted of well-known scientists form around the world with broad expertise in the area of microbial genomics. These included: Siv Andersson, University of Uppsala Sharen Bowman, Genome Atlantic Julian Davies, University of British Columbia Ford Doolittle, Dalhousie University Claire Fraser, The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR) Julian Parkhill, Wellcome Trust Sanger Center George Weinstock, Baylor College of Medicine The organizing committee provided guidance to program development including identification of session topics, plenary and invited speakers. Dedicated staff from TIGR and Genome Atlantic provided support for the organizational aspects of the conference. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience included students, trainees, scientists in academia, government, and industry. In addition, grants program administrators from various agencies were in attendance at the conference. Over 200 registered attendees were present. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
The International Conference on Microbial Genomes provided a forum for information on state-of-the-art sequencing, functional analysis, comparative genomics; sequencing and biology of human and animal pathogens; arachea; and lessons learned from complete genomes. Occurring ten years after the publication and completion of the first complete bacterial genome, this conference marked the emergence of the exciting field of metagenomics. In addition, the increased focus on microbial phylogenomics and the tremendous progress in microbial pathogenomics were the primary highlights of the conference.

Publications

  • Rasko, D.A. and Mongodin E.F. 2006. The first decade of microbial genomics: what have we learned and where are we going next Genome Biol. 6(9):341.