AgriGenomics Congress Agenda

Registration

Systemic Protein and RNA Signaling in Flowering Induction
Yiguo Hong, Professor, Hangzhou Normal University, China

In this presentation, I will discuss how to convert a plant flowering time integrator into a useful gene allele for molecular breeding of novel crops with increasing seed yields, as well as a new twist to reveal the nature of florigen.

Coffee Break and Networking in the Exhibition Hall

Technology Spotlight:
Advancement in Technology For the Sealing of Mirco-Well and alternative Format Plate and Tubes
Alan Shepherd, Technical Director, Kbiosystems

As the MWP and sample tube manufacture has improved, and the demands for miniaturisation, the requirement for precision and repeatable sealing has become ever more essential, KBiosystems are now developing and manufacturing nextgen Sealing devices that provide both precision accurate seals with minimal deformation the MWP. The adoption of the MWP format into the clinical market has placed demands for data logging and real time information transfer during and post sealing operations the nextgen sealers ensure these demand are met. This spotlight session will highlight the new techniques for more reliable and robust sealing.

Lunch and Networking in the Exhibition Hall

Free Workshop
Advancement of Separation, Purification and Crystallography from Agilent Technologies
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Free Workshop
High Content Screening for Compounds and Genes Affecting Bacterial and Viral Infections
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Poster Session

The Search for New Genes Conferring Durable Disease Resistance
John Walsh, Research Leader, University of Warwick, United Kingdom

We have identified the major gene controlling broad-spectrum resistance to a plant virus. In collaboration with Syngenta Seeds, a gene-specific marker is now being used to introgress the resistance in to commercial plant lines. The nature of the resistance indicates that it may be durable.

Phloem micro RNAs and Their Involvement in the Systemic Regulation of Stress Responses and Development
Julia Kehr, Centre of Plant Biotechnology and Genomics, Polytechnic University of Madrid , Spain

This presentation will summarize the current knowledge about phloem micro RNAs and their long-distance mobility between organs. It will also discuss the potential roles their translocation plays during nutrient deficiency defense responses or the regulation of development.

Coffee Break and Networking in the Exhibition Hall

Integration of Small RNA, mRNA and Degradome Profiling During Fruit Development
Tamas Dalmay, Director/Professor, University of East Anglia, United Kingdom

Combined analysis of small RNA, mRNA and degradome profiles during tomato fruit development revealed many new microRNAs and microRNA targets. Correlation between microRNAs and their targets will be discussed.

Transcriptional Control of Gene Expression by microRNAs
Wolfgang Frank, Assistant Professor, University of Freiburg, Germany

The targeted deletion of all DICER-LIKE genes in the moss Physcomitrella patens led to the elucidation of the complexity and function of endogenous small RNA pathways in this species.

Visualization of Plant Sequence and Genotype Data and Analysis
David Marshall, Head, Scottish Crop Research Institute, United Kingdom

Drinks Reception

Free Workshop
PCR without DNA purification – Thermo Scientific Direct PCR
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Keys to Durable Resistance Strategies in Crop Plants
Richard Visser, Professor/Head, Wageningen University & Research Centre, Netherlands

Potato is the world's third largest food crop yet it continues to endure late blight (LB), a devastating disease caused by the pathogen Phytophthora infestans. Exploiting plant genetic resistance in combination with knowledge of the pathogen’s effector diversity will inform on the durability of Rpi genes and the best disease management strategy.

Coffee Break and Networking in the Exhibition Hall

Map-Based Cloning of a Major Resistance Gene for Stripe Rust in Wheat
Alan Schulman, Group Leader/Professor, University of Helsinki, Finland

Wild emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccoides) is a particularly promising source of resistance to the wheat diseases. Our goal is to positionally clone Yr15 from T. discoccoides, a key resistance gene to yellow rust. We have identified a BAC contig spanning this gene.

Ulvan, a Sulfated Polysaccharide From Green Algae, Activates Plant Immunity and Protection Against Powdery Mildew Pathogens
Bernard Dumas, Principal Investigator, University Paul Sabatier Toulouse, France

A new elicitor of plant defense responses was characterized from a crude extract of the green algae Ulva spp.

Lunch and Networking in the Exhibition Hall

Free Workshop
Glosensor Technology: Intracellular Biosensors to Detect Signal Transduction in Living Cells
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Free Workshop
Automatic High Content Screening for Life Sciences
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Poster Session

Latest Advances in KASPar SNP Genotyping and DNA Purification
Phil Robinson, Managing Director, KBioscience, United Kingdom

From Lab to Farmers: Improving Disease Resistance in Durum Wheat
Roberto Tuberosa, Professor, University of Bologna, Italy

The analysis of the rice-Brachypodium-wheat synteny provides the bases for SNP development and candidate gene identification. An overview of the results will be presented.

Coffee Break and Networking in the Exhibition Hall

Development of a Toolbox to Study Plant-Pathogen Interactions in Cereals
Goetz Hensel, Senior Scientist, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Germany

Lately, we have been pursuing a novel strategy to combat fungal pathogens, which relies on in planta expression of hairpin RNAi constructs specifically targeting fungal genes via host-induced gene silencing (HIGS).

Disease Susceptibility as a Potential Target for Engineering Resistance?
Ralph Hueckelhoven, Chair, Technical University of Munich, Germany

Plant factors that are required for successful host infection by microbial pathogens might be targets.

Close of Conference