SUNDAY, JUNE 15
RNA-BASED
TECHNOLOGIES AND THERAPEUTICS
Conveners: Amy A. Wang, GlaxoSmithKline, and David D. Songstad,
Monsanto Company
8:00 am – 10:00 am Plenary
Symposium Presidio
I and II
RNA-based technologies, namely, antisense oligonucleotides
(ASOs), RNA interference (RNAi), and microRNA (miRNA), are a relatively new
addition to the field of nucleic acid-based therapeutics. ASOs have
been tested in the clinic for ten years, and have one product on the
market. RNAi is a new preferred
technique for specifically blocking gene expression so cellular phenotype and
gene function can be studied. The
pioneers of RNAi research have been
awarded Nobel Prize in 2006. The
revolutionary breakthrough of RNAi is having a major
impact on drug discovery and development.
The newly emerging technology of miRNAs may
have therapeutically useful links to cancer and other diseases. The speakers in the plenary symposia will describe the new RNA-based
technologies and their applications in both animal and plant research fields.
They will provide up-to-date information on RNAi and miRNA products, and review recent progress in RNA-based
drug discovery and development.
8:00 Introduction
(A. A. Wang and D. D. Songstad)
8:05 PS-1 Moving
from In Vitro to In Vivo RNAi
Chris Cunning, Invitrogen Corporation
8:40 PS-2 New
Development of microRNA Research and
Role of miR-34s in p53 Tumor Suppressor Network
Caifu Chen, Applied Biosystems
9:15 PS-3 Control of Coleopteran
Insect Pests Through RNA Interference
Jim Roberts, Monsanto Company
9:50 Discussion
10:00 am – 10:30 am Coffee
Break Turquoise
Ballroom
BIOTECH
APPROACHES TOWARD IMPROVED
ABIOTIC STRESS TOLERANCE IN CROPS
Conveners: Melissa E. Hinga, RiceTech, Inc., and David D. Songstad, Monsanto
Company
10:30 am – 12:00 pm Plant
Symposium Presidio
III and IV
The
UN predicts that the world’s population will be approaching 8.5 billion by 2030
while the number of people living in rural areas will decrease to 40% of the
world’s population (source: UN Dept Eco. and Soc. Affairs). The
increasing number of dwellers will put more pressure on fresh water
supplies. Higher crop yields will be required to feed the largely urban
population. Crops that are capable of using water more efficiently while
maintaining or increasing grain or biomass yield must be
developed. Biotechnology provides one of the tools to assist in
developing these water use efficient plants. Identification of pathways
responsible for increased stress tolerance will ultimately result in the
transfer of novel genes for improved water use efficiency leading to improved
crop performance. In conjunction with the discovery of new traits via
biotechnology, conventional breeding and molecular breeding provide additional
tools to deliver these new traits in elite germplasm
to provide a new generation of stress tolerant crops for farmers. Today’s
progress toward drought tolerant plants will lay the foundation for continuing
to feed the world.
10:30 Introduction
(M. E. Hinga and D. D. Songstad)
10:35 P-1 Improved Yield
Stability of Maize Under Drought Stress
Michael
H. Luethy, Monsanto Company
11:00 P-2 Genetic and
Chemical Approaches to Delivering Abiotic Stress
Tolerance in Crops
T. Lynne Reuber, Mendel Biotechnology
11:25 P-3 Transgenic
Approaches Towards Improved Drought Tolerance in Turf
and Forage Grass (Paspalum notatum Flugge)
Fredy Altpeter, University of Florida
11:50 Discussion
GLOBAL
ISSUES ON ALTERNATIVES TO ANIMAL TOXICOLOGY TESTING
Conveners:
John W. Harbell,
Mary Kay, Inc., and Guy Smagghe, University of Ghent
10:30 am – 12:30 pm Animal
Symposium Coronado
I
Toxicology
has traditionally relied on the use of surrogate species to predict the impact
of chemicals on the species of interest (e.g. man). Generally, the surrogate
species (i.e., rodents and lagomorphs) were chosen for
convenient manipulation in the laboratory rather than a demonstrated
physiological match to the human. Most regulatory toxicology follows this
pattern and it is the response in the surrogate species rather than the
expected response in humans that drives regulatory decisions. Over the past few
decades, there has been a strong interest in replacing the surrogate animal
tests with physiologically relevant in
vitro assays. This process has begun slowly but is now gaining momentum.
There is now a general consensus on how in vitro methods should be validated and
formal review processes are in place. A number of new methods have approved for
regulatory use and some are incorporated into
international guidelines. This symposium will focus on three areas: 1)
validation, review and acceptance procedures for new in vitro methods; 2) post approval application and improvements of
these methods; and 3) the future paradigm proposed by the National Academy of
Sciences to shift from surrogate species to identification of toxic pathways
using human cells.
10:30 Introduction
(J. W. Harbell and G. Smagghe)
10:35 A-1 Japanese Collaboration on Alternative
to Animal Toxicology Testing
Hajime Kojima, Japanese Center for the Validation of Alternative Methods
11:10 A-2 Critical Review of the Test
Paradigm to Predict Human Hepatotoxicity
Phillippe
Vanparys, Altoxicon
11:45 A-3 In Vitro Alternatives in
Toxicology: A Current and Future Science Perspective
Eugene Elmore, University of California – Irvine
IN
VITRO ECOLOGY
Conveners: Michael E. Kane, University of Florida, and Scott L. Stewart, PhytoTechnology
Laboratories, LLC
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Plant
Symposium Presidio
III and IV
In vitro ecology is a new concept in the study and use of in
vitro techniques, which focuses on the use of in vitro
technologies in the propagation, evaluation, improvement, and identification of
unique plants and plant characteristics. These characteristics can
include ecotypic and genotypic differentiation, mass
propagation and transgenic improvement of plants for habitat restoration, and
the in vitro use of plants as tools for bioassays and ecological
studies. The study of in vitro
ecology can lead to a better understanding the roles plant micropropagation,
plant selection, and plant improvement play in our understanding of habitat
restoration, plant mass propagation, habitat and plant ecology, and other in
vitro technologies. This session will define in vitro
ecology by presenting topics current to the application of this research area,
as well as help to define the potential future for in vitro
ecological studies. A short open
discussion period will follow speaker presentations.
1:30 Introduction
(M. E. Kane and S. L. Stewart)
1:40 P-4 Stable
Transformation of Freshwater Wetland Monocots and Its Ecological Implications
Suzanne
M. D. Rogers,
Fairmont State University
2:05 P-5 Using In Vitro Techniques as Tools to Differentiate
Ecotypes of Calopogon tuberosus,
a North American Native Orchid
Philip Kauth, University of Florida
2:25 P-6 Applications of
Underwater Grass Cultures for Bioassays and Chemical Ecology Studies
Stephen
Ailstock, Anne Arundel Community College
2:45 Discussion
GENE
TARGETING/HOMGOLOUS AND SITE SPECIFIC
RECOMBINATION
Conveners: David Gidoni, The
Volcani Center and Avraham
A. Levy, The Weissman Institute of Sciences
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Plant
Symposium Presido I and II
The precise integration of transgenes
into plant genomes is critical for the controlled and stable expression of
genes of interest. It is necessary to avoid undesirable effects, such as
gene silencing, mutation of host genes and position effects
which may affect the specificity and stability of gene expression.
The ability to integrate DNA into a known site can also facilitate issues of GMOs regulation. The integration of
delivered DNA into a chromosomal sites can occur via three main pathways: 1-
illegitimate, or non-homologous end joining, the most prominent pathway in
plants; 2- via gene targeting, the homologous recombination between
the delivered DNA and a host chromosomal sequence; and 3- via recombinase-mediated site-specific recombination between a
specific recognition site, present or introduced into the genome, and a
delivered vector containing the compatible recognition sites. This
session will cover recent advances in all these fields. For example, the
engineering of nucleases (Zinc Finger Nucleases, or meganucleases)
that can induce a DNA double strand break at any desired site,
is an active field of research that will be addressed. The induced break
can then become a hotspot for DNA integration via homologous or non-homologous
recombination with the delivered vector. In addition, this session will
emphasize novel sophisticated schemes of positive and negative selections that have been devised to select the targeted insertion of the
delivered vector, via homologous or site-specific recombination.
1:30 Introduction
(D. Gidoni and A. A. Levy)
1:35 P-7 Targeted
Integration After Agrobacterium-mediated DNA Delivery
Paul
J. Hooykaas, Leiden University
2:00 P-8 Towards Zinc
Finger Nucleases-mediated Gene Targeting in Plants
Tzvi Tzfira, University
of Michigan
2:20 P-9 Zinc Finger
Nuclease-mediated Gene Targeting in Plants
Joseph
F. Petolino, Dow AgroSciences
2:40 P-10 Plant Genome Manipulation Using Cre/lox Technology
Vibha Srivastava, University of Arkansas
VIRUS-CELL
INTERACTIONS IN VERTEBRATE AND INVERTEBRATE SYSTEMS
Conveners: Cynthia L. Goodman, USDA/ARS, and Guido F. Caputo, Natural Resources Canada
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Animal
Symposium Coronado
I
The
interactions between viruses and cells are quite complex and can be studied
from many different angles. How are viruses able to overcome the cells’
defenses and/or utilize host cell resources to proliferate? What are some
of the ways that cells attempt to combat viral invasion? Insights from these questions can lead to
improved treatments for human/livestock diseases or to novel means of
controlling pest insects employing biocontrol
agents. Additionally, our understanding of virus-cell interactions can be
used to develop innovative tools in areas such as gene transfer technology that
are important for studying physiological aspects of biomedical and agricultural
research. Our session will focus on how viruses specifically interact
with host systems and how these viral platforms can be used
in the gene transfer arena.
1:30 Introduction
(C. L. Goodman and G. F. Caputo)
1:35 A-4 Baculovirus
Genes Affecting Host Functions
Suzanne M. Thiem, Michigan State University
2:00 A-5 Coronavirus
Assembly at Intracellular Membranes
Brenda G. Hogue, Arizona State University
2:25 A-6 Viral Gene Transfer Vectors
in Studies of Human Smooth Muscle Function
William T. Gerthoffer, University
of South
Alabama
2:50 Discussion
2008
WORLD CONGRESS ON IN VITRO BIOLOGY
OPENING CEREMONY
WORLD CONGRESS SPONSORS
Society for In Vitro Biology (SIVB)
Japanese Association for Animal Cell
Technology (JAACT)
The Japanese Tissue Culture
Association (JTCA)
Program
Chair: David D. Ellis, USDA/ARS
3:00 pm – 5:30 pm Opening
Ceremony Presidio
I and II
Conveners: Todd
J. Jones, BASF
David
D. Ellis, USDA/ARS
3:00 Welcome
and Opening Remarks:
Todd J. Jones,
President, Society for In Vitro Biology
3:05 2008
Fellow Award Recipients (Awards to be presented at
Section Meetings):
Michael E. Horn, Michael
Horn & Associates LLC
Arthur H. McIntosh, USDA/AR/ BCIRL
3:15 2008
Distinguished Service Award Presentations
(Awards to be presented by Paul J. Price):
David D. Ellis, USDA/ARS
David W. Altman, IPR Consulting, Inc.
Nancy A. Reichert, Mississippi State University
Richard Heller, University of South Florida
John W. Harbell, Mary Kay Inc.
Michael E. Horn, Michael Horn & Associates, LLC
Dennis A. Laska, Eli Lilly& Company
3:40 2008
Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients:
(Introduction by Michael
E. Horn; Acknowledgement by Dr. Widholm to follow)
Jack M. Widholm, University of Illinois
4:00
Robert H. Lawrence, Jr. Keynote Symposium
Introduction
(T. J. Jones and D. D. Ellis)
KS-1 Global Agriculture at the Crossroads: Pathway to an Era of
Biohappiness
M. S. Swaminathan, Chairman of the M. S. Swaminathan
Research Foundation, President of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs; UNESCO
Chair in Ecotechnology at the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai, India; and
Chairman of the National Commission on Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Security
of India
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm 2008 WORLD CONGRESS ON
IN VITRO BIOLOGY Turquoise Ballroom
OPENING CEREMONY RECEPTION
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm Student
Poster Competition Turquoise Ballroom
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Exhibits
and Posters Turquoise Ballroom
Sunday, June
15
Odd Poster
Authors will be present
6:30
pm – 7:30 pm
STUDENT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
– CV/RESUME WRITING AND INTERVIEWING SKILLS
Conveners: Nancy Jean Engelmann, University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign, and Phillip J. Kauth,
University of Florida
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm Education
Symposium Canyon
Rooms
Bring your resume or CV and
questions. Our evening will consist of a brief formal program
followed by interactive activities. We will begin with two presentations:
- Having the Right Stuff: when to prepare a CV vs Resume, what makes an
outstanding CV or Resume, what supporting documents you should have with
it.
- Interviewing Basics and the Differences between
Academia vs. Industry: what you should be prepared to talk about and what skills may be expected of you.
We will then breakout for
multiple interactions focused at several stations around the room. These will
include:
- Opportunities for resume and CV review: have the experts look
at your CV or resume for critiquing and tips for
improvement.
2. Mock interviewing: Practice answering the types of questions you may be
asked at an interview within academia, industry or a government setting.
We will limit these to 10-15 min per person in order to allow time for
multiple mock interviews per participant. Academic, industry and government
representatives will be available so that you can explore the differences
between the different environments. Multiple mock interview sessions will
also expose you to more than one interviewer’s style.
7:30 Introduction
(N. J. Engelmann and P. J. Kauth)
7:35 E-5 Having the Right Stuff: Outstanding Resumes
and CV’s for Outstanding Career Opportunities
Alaina G. Levine, University of Arizona
8:00 E-6 Interviewing Basics and the
Differences between Academia vs. Industry
Gregory
C. Phillips, Arkansas State University, and Jerry Ranch, Pioneer Hi-Bred
International
8:25 Workshop