WORKSHOP PROGRAM
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2006
08:30 - 12:30 Workshops
Workshop 1
Structional and functional genomics of mycotoxigenic fungi
Workshop director:
Prof.dr. Gary A. Payne, North Carolina State University, Department of Plant Pathology, USA
Lead speakers:
Paolo Amedeo, The Institute for genomic Research, USA
Dr. Ignazio Carbone, North Carolina State University, USA
Dr. Nora Khaldi, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Ireland
Dr. Frances Trail, Michigan State University, USA
Prof.dr. Charles P. Woloshuk, Purdue University, USA
Rapporteur:
Dr. Deepak Bhatnagar, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
(USDA/ARS/SRRC), USA
The availability of whole genome
sequences of several mycotoxin-producing fungi has provided new tools to identify genes for pathogenicity and mycotoxin production. Genomic studies on several
Aspergillus and Fusarium
fungal species are underway in several laboratories in different parts of the world. Among these studies are structural and functional genomics of the toxin producing species
Fusarium graminearum (trichothecene producer), F. verticillioides (fumonisin producer), and Aspergillus flavus
(aflatoxin producer). Gene expression profiling experiments by DNA microarrays have successfully identified differentially expressed genes associated with mycotoxin production in the toxigenic fungi. This technology is also being
employed to study
environmental influences on the fungus, ecological/evolutionary significance of fungal propagation, fungal virulence, and global signal transduction within the fungus.
Comparative genomics is being used to address the origin of mycotoxin gene clusters and their evolution in species of Aspergillus and Fusarium.
The
workshop will provide basic information on various aspects of genomics; current information on the status of genomics of mycotoxigenic fungi; hypotheses on the origin and
evolution of gene clusters for mycotoxin production; opportunity to discuss the use of available genomic information by researchers worldwide.08:30
Part I: Basics of genomics
Definition and advent of genomics; genomic terminology; structural, functional and comparative genomics; DNA sequencing; analysis of DNA
sequence (bioinformatics); microarray technology.
10:30 Part II: Significance of genomics in mycotoxin research
Structural and functional genomics of
F. verticillioides; comparative genomics of A. flavus; genome wide functional analysis of polyketide synthases in F. graminearum; evolution and stability
of the aflatoxin gene cluster; origin and evolution of the fumonisin gene cluster.
12:00 Part III: General discussion
Application of genomic information
for control of mycotoxins; public access to genomic information; cooperative research using genomic data
12:30 End of workshop 1
Workshop 2
Mycotoxin detection and inactivation
Sponsored and presented by Biomin and Romer Labs
08:30 Part I: New ways to detect mycotoxins
A hands-on workshop!
- Presentation of new products
- Hands-on training on the new products
- Discussion with the experts
10:30 Part II: Mycotoxin deactivation
What is the practical impact of a high-tech approach for the animal husbandry industry?
- Presentation of product news
- Presentation of new trial studies
- Discussion with the experts
12:30 End of workshop 2
Workshop 3 (Invitation only)
Mycotoxins & biomarkers roundtable Think-Tank
Sponsored by Alltech
Biomarkers play an increasingly important role when it comes to learning more about mycotoxins and their effects. The aim of this Think-Tank, therefore, is to bring
together the leading experts in this area to discuss the calculation of expected exposure in consideration of the variations in the diet of different animal species and
age, and production groups. Special emphasis will be given to the opportunities and limitations to determine:
- biomarkers of exposure; and
- biomarkers of effects.
08:15 Registration 08:30 Introduction
Prof.dr. Johanna Fink-Gremmels
University Utrecht, Department of Veterinary Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Toxicology, the Netherlands Topics to be addressed:
- Can neurological responses and behavioral changes be used as markers for mycotoxins?
- Immunological measures as response criteria for mycotoxin exposure?
- Can measures of oxidative stress be used as biomarkers of exposure?
- Biomarkers of effect - what can we learn from the recent understanding of the molecular mechanisms of toxin actions?
12:45 End of workshop 3
Companies involved in developing and marketing products, equipment and/or services are given the opportunity to
present a workshop on Wednesday November 8, 2006. For more information contact the Secretariat of The World Mycotoxin Forum.
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