AgriGenomics Agenda

Registration

Utilization of Different Methods to Decipher Pathways and Genes Involved in the Barley - powdery Mildew Interaction
Goetz Hensel, Senior Scientist, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Germany

In order to study plant-pathogen interactions in monocot plants like barley several tools for the transient as well as stable analysis of candidate genes were developed and will be presented.

A Balanced Subcellular Distribution of the Plant Immune Receptor Rx Between the Cytoplasm and Nucleus is Required for Effective Immunity Against Potato Virus X
Wladimir Tameling, Researcher, Wageningen University, Netherlands

Intracellular immune receptors play an important role in the innate immune system of plants. Here we present our studies that are aimed to unravel the cellular mechanism by which these receptors activate the immune response upon attack of pathogens.

Coffee and Networking in Exhibition Hall

Arabidopsis Natural Variation in Response to an Oomycetal Necrotic Elicitor
Bernard Dumas, Principal Investigator, University Paul Sabatier Toulouse, France

I will present results obtained on the natural variation observed in Arabidopsis accessions to a microbial inducer of plant immunity. This work will give new clues for the characterization of plant genetic determinants involved in response to pathogens.

Reducing Sequencing Bias of Small RNAs by Next Generation Sequencing
Tamas Dalmay, Director/Professor, University of East Anglia, United Kingdom

Small RNA profiling by next generation sequencing gives inaccurate results and we characterised this bias. We also provide a solution to the problem by using new adapters that contain degenerate nucleotides.

Lunch and Networking in Exhibition Hall

Poster Viewing Session

A Novel System for Gene Silencing using siRNAs in Plants to Human Models
Satjana Pattanasak, Research Scientist, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), United Kingdom

siRNAs are designed to specifically target and silence a mutant allele, presenting an opportunity for therapeutic intervention. In this study, a reporter mouse model was developed to enable the study of siRNA delivery to skin and investigate the efficacy of treatment.

Coffee and Networking in Exhibition Hall

Exploiting New Knowledge in Metabolic and Stress Signalling: Contribution to Achieving the Goal of 20:20 Wheat
Nigel Halford, Programme Leader, Rothamsted Research, United Kingdom

The 20:20 wheat programme aims for a yield of 20 tonnes per hectare of high quality, safe wheat. This presentation will describe the contribution of studies on metabolic and stress signalling networks to achieving this aim.

Drinks Reception

Metabolic Engineering of Omega-3 Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Transgenic Plants and Algae
Johnathan Napier, Principal Investigator, Rothamsted Research, United Kingdom

Using iterative approaches to pathway engineering, it is now possible to achieve nutritionally-relevant levels of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in a transgenic host. These studies have also revealed fundamental insights into lipid metabolism in plants and algae.

Coffee and Networking in Exhibition Hall

Genetic and Genomic Markers of Beef Quality
Jean-François Hocquette, Director of Herbivore Unit, INRA, France

Many genomic markers of beef tenderness were identified but they are often specific to muscle type, animal type or environmental conditions. However, genes related to the heat shock protein family or muscle characteristics are potential markers of beef tenderness.

Genomics-based Approaches to Enhance Resistance of Durum Wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) to Fungal Pathogens
Roberto Tuberosa, Professor, University of Bologna, Italy

Biparental and association mapping have allowed us to identify QTLs regulating durum wheat resistance to leaf rust, stem rust and Fusarium. Marker-assisted selection is being implemented in collaboration with a seed company and positional cloning of a QTL for leaf rust resistance is underway.

Lunch and Networking in Exhibition Hall

Poster Viewing Session

Genome-wide Gene Expression Profiles for the Characterization and Prediction of Heterosis in Zea mays L.
Alexander Thiemann, Post-doc, University of Hamburg, Germany

A transcriptome-based approach to predict heterosis and to reveal its genetic basis - Identifying QTL underlying genes in breeding populations.

Genomics for Lower Carbon Footprint Livestock?
Ann Bruce, Research Fellow, Edinburgh University, United Kingdom

To achieve impact, genomic solutions to reduce methane emissions from sheep and cattle must be adopted by farmers. I will summarise empirical evidence on farmer attitudes to genomic technologies and methane emissions and identify some barriers to adoption.

Coffee and Networking in Exhibition Hall

Close of Conference