Sunday, June 7
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Introduction to the DOE BioEnergy Science Center
Russ Miller, Manager of Technology Transfer and Partnerships
The U.S. Department of Energy's BioEnergy Science Center (BESC) is a nationally and internationally peer-reviewed center comprising leading scientific institutions and scientists is organized and in operation as a DOE Bioenergy Research Center. This Oak Ridge National Laboratory-led team consists of top-tier universities, leading national labs, and private companies which are organized as a single, virtual project team, each member chosen for the significant contributions in the Center’s research focus areas. The recalcitrance of cellulosic biomass—that is, the difficulty of converting biomass into sugars—is viewed as (1) the most significant obstacle by far to establishment of a cellulosic biofuels industry, (2) essential to producing cost-competitive fuels, and (3) generically enabling, since nearly all biofuels and biofeedstocks would benefit from such advances. The mission of BESC is to make revolutionary advances in understanding and overcoming the recalcitrance of biomass to conversion into sugars, making it feasible to displace imported petroleum with ethanol and other fuels.
8:00 am - 10:00 am
Gene Targeting
Conveners: Richard Heller, Old Dominion University,
and Tzvi Tzfira, University of Michigan
Gene targeting is one of the most sought-after technologies for animal and plant improvement. Gene targeting can potentially be achieved by homologous recombination or by non-homologous end joining, leading to a variety of outcomes, ranging from gene replacement and gene repair to site-specific integration of foreign DNA molecules and site-specific mutagenesis. Speakers in this session will introduce the audience to the biological barriers and to the biotechnological solutions for achieving genome editing and gene transfer in higher eukaryotic cells.
Speakers:
DNA Transport for Enhanced Gene Expression
David Dean, University of Rochester Medical Center
Gene Delivery
Richard Heller, Old Dominion University
DNA Repair in Plants
Anne Britt, University of Califorina-Davis
ZFN-mediated Gene Targeting
Joseph F. Petolino, Dow AgroSciences
8:00 am - 10:00 am
Integration of Genomics, Proteomics and Metabolomics
Convener: Sixue Chen, University of Florida, and
Jacqueline A. Jordan, Clayton State University
Genomics, Proteomics, and Metabolomics are the
new pillars of modern biological sciences. Systems
Biology integrates these three "omics"
to study and understand the entire living organism.
Conceptual and technical advancements in systems
biology have created numerous opportunities in research
and this contributes to the understanding of the
complexities within biological systems. As these
technologies advance to common use, it is essential
for biologists to develop strategies to handle,
analyze and integrate large quantities of data.
Speakers in this session will introduce recent technological
developments in different "omics" areas.
Real applications in data integration and elucidation
of biological processes and networks will be introduced.
In this session, future directions will be highlighted
and key issues facing the area of systems biology
discussed.
Introduction to Research in Systems Biology
Jacqueline Jordan, Clayton State University
Towards a Systems Analysis of Plant Molecular Networks
Sixue Chen, University of Florida
Metabolomics and Integrated Functional Genomics
of Medicogo Secondary Metabolism
Lloyd Sumner, Noble Foundation
Beyond Gene Clustering of Microarray Data
W. Jim Zheng. Medical University of South
Carolina.
Integrating High-throughput and Genomics Technologies in Least Expected Places
Maja Kodani. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
8:00 am - 10:00 am
National and International Regulatory Aspects
of GEOs
Conveners: John M. Cordts, USDA-APHIS, and Thomas
J. Flynn, US FDA
Numerous genetically engineered organisms, both plant and animal, have been developed over the last 30+ years for use in widely variable applications. While many countries and regions around the world have embraced the use of genetically engineered organisms, others continue to wrestle with issues of food safety, environmental risk, ownership and patenting of seed resources, and a variety of socio-economic changes. Speakers in this session will explore on-going trends in regulatory agencies and potential implications for international research and trade.
Speakers:
Safety Assessment of Plant-incorporated Protectants (PIPs) by the United States Environmental Protection Agency
John Kough, US EPA
Animal Clones and Their Progeny, FDA’s GE Animal Guidance, and Other Recent Actions
Jeffery Jones, FDA
Interaction of Global Regulatory Approaches and Testing Methodology with Trade
Raymond D. Shillito, Bayer CropScience
8:00 am - 10:00 am
Feedstock Genomics and Transgenics for Cellulosic
Ethanol
Convener: Fredy Altpeter, University of Florida-IFAS
Plant biomass is expected to play a major role
in the substitution of fossil fuels. To date, most
ethanol is derived from sugar or starch crops by
fermentation. The ability to produce ethanol from
ligno-cellulosic biomass from perennial, low-input,
non-food crops will be key in maximizing the environmental
and economical benefits of biofuels. Cell wall recalcitrance
has been identified as a major bottleneck for the
economic production of ethanol from lignocellulosic
plant biomass, resulting in low yield and high cost
of the pretreatment/hydrolysis process. Speakers
in this session will highlight recent advances in
genomics and transgenic approaches to improve biofuel
production from different biomass crops.
Speakers:
GMAX Yeast Background Strain Made from Industrial Tolerant Saccharomyces cerevisiae Engineered to Convert Sucrose, Starch and Cellulosic Sugars Universally to Ethanol Anaerobically with Concurrent Coproduct Expression
Stephen R. Hughes, USDA Agricultural Research Service, NCAUR, BBC
Lowering the Cost of Biomass Conversion Through Expression of Cell Wall Degrading Enzymes in Transgenic Plants
Scott Betts, Syngenta Biotechnology
Brachypodium distachyon: a New Model for Biomass Crops
John Vogel, USDA-ARS
Altered Cell Wall Biosynthesis in Switchgrass: Early-stage Biotechnology Tool Development in the Bioenergy Science Center
C. Neal Stewart, Jr., University of Tennessee
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Bio/Tissue Engineering Symposium
C onveners: Elizabeth J. Roemer, State University
of New York - Stony Brook, and Paul J. Price, D-Finitive
Cell Technologies
Tissue Engineering combines cells, matrices, support
structures or scaffolds and a suitable environment
to produce proto-tissues for the understanding of
Biological Development, Toxicity Testing and Regenerative
Medicine. The use of support systems and stem or
tissue cells offer unique opportunities for the
repair, enhancement or replacement of damaged or
diseased tissues and organs. This Symposium will
look at the formation of proto-tissues through the
interdisciplinary efforts of engineering, cellular
maturation and the understanding of biological systems.
Speakers:
Tissue Engineering and Ex Vivo Tissue Test Systems
Karen Burg, Clemson University
Injectable Hydrogels for Brain Tissue Regeneration After Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Ning Zhang, Clemson University
TBD
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Cell Culture of Marine Invertebrates Symposium
Conveners: James J. Grasela, USDA ARS BCIRL; Lucilia
E. J. Lee, Wilfrid Laurier University; and Guy Smagghe,
Ghent University
For a number of years marine invertebrate cell
culture research has lagged behind other areas of
invertebrate cell culture, particularly insects,
in the development of established cell culture lines.
Indeed, tremendous effort has been made to establish
long-term (>1 month) continuous invertebrate
cell lines, although to date there are no published
reports of a successfully established marine invertebrate
cell culture. Nevertheless, many primary marine
invertebrate cell cultures have been developed for
the purpose of providing novel biologically active
chemical compounds with pharmaceutical properties.
Furthermore, the study of diseases from many valuable
commercial species such as crayfish, lobsters, shrimps,
mussels, oysters, and clams has also been an incentive
to develop viable marine cell cultures. This session
will focus on the continued development of marine
invertebrate cell culture, the potential obstacles
encountered in an attempt to establish long-term
marine cell cultures, and some of the new technologies
available that may help to overcome these problems.
Speakers:
Transfection of Marine Sponge Cells to Produce a Cell Line
Shirley Pomponi,Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution
Stem Cells from Marine Invertebrates – Perspectives and Prospective
Baruch Rinkevich, National Institute of Oceanography
Crustacean and Their Pathogens: Developing Susceptible Host Cell Lines and Alternative Approaches
Karen G. Burnett, Grice Marine Laboratory
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
June Bradlaw Memorial Symposium: Toxicology
in the 21st Century
Conveners: Eugene Elmore, University of California
- Irvine, and Brad L. Upham, Michigan State University
The current animal model systems for predicting
both toxicology and drug efficacy for human responses
have been very ineffective. This was evident from
the studies with cancer therapeutics where adverse
events relating to critical tissues were not adequately
predicted by animal studies. The National Research
Council published a report in 2007 (http://dels.nas.edu/dels/rpt_briefs/Toxicity_Testing_final.pdf
) that established the vision and strategy to implement
a paradigm shift from classic animal models for
predicting human toxicity and risk to a focus on
in vitro model systems that use human cell systems
derived from different tissues to identify toxicity
pathways that would be more predictive of human
responses. The vision suggests that by using the
best current science, we would ultimately be able
to identify toxic agent mechanisms that would minimize
or eliminate testing in animal models. Full implementation
of the vision and strategy will require substantial
funding, coordinated efforts, and application of
our best scientific approaches to understand the
critical pathways to toxicity. With the advances
in the various "omics" technologies progressing
at a rapid pace, the quest for better predictive
models of human toxicology and efficacy will speed
up the practical application of these technologies
in determining human tissue specific responses to
drugs and environmental agents. The completion of
the human genome sequence and the evolution of the
tools for analysis of gene expression, proteomics,
and metabolomics have resulted in the generation
of massive data sets on relevant pathways and molecular
biology. This "explosion" of information
in identifying new genes and gene interactions has
created a major challenge in the biologically meaningful
interpretation of this data. Bioinformatics tools
are also rapidly evolving to assist in making biologically
relevant interpretations of these complex data.
Understanding agent induced pathway perturbations
will also result in a better understanding of efficacy
pathways. The outcome of the coordinated efforts
will result in improved approaches to personalized
medicine and reduced environmental risk. This session
will focus on current and future approaches to implement
the "vision and strategy" with a focus
on human cell model systems, "omics",
and bioinformatics.
Speakers:
Toxicity Pathways, In Vitro Assays, and Computational Cell Biology: Using the Best Science for Toxicity Testing and Risk Assessment
Melvin E. Andersen, The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences
Organotypic Cultures Provide Mechanistic Insight Into Drug-Induced Organ Injury and Facilitate Comparisons of Animal and Human Tissue
Alison Vickers, Allergan
Knowledge Profile Approach: Insights into Drug Action and Toxicity Mechanisms
Nikolai Daraselia, Ariandne Genomics
Using Gene Expression and Pathway Analysis for Efficacy and Toxicity Assessment
Eugene Elmore, University of Califorinia- Davis
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Commercially Available In Vitro 3-D Tissue Models
for Biomedical Research and Product Development
Convener: Elizabeth J. Roemer, State University
of New York, Stony Brook
Cells inhabit three-dimensional (3-D) space when tissues are growing in vivo. When cells are grown in vitro as 3-D constructs they better mimic in vivo tissue. 3-D models can be manipulated through the use of multiple cell types, matrices, and culture conditions to yield constructs with histological and physiological profiles closely matched to those found in the body. Through recreation of complex mechanical and biochemical microenvironments, these systems are proving increasingly valuable for multiple applications including studies of pathological and normal physiological processes, pre-clinical drug development and in vitro toxicology. 3-D models are also key alternatives to animal testing. While it is possible to grow 3-D models in the research lab, the option of purchasing ready-to-use constructs is often attractive. This workshop will explore a range of commercially available models.
Speakers:
3-D Tissue Models in Contract Research: Points to Consider for Efficacy, Product Development, or Regulatory Testing Programs.
Hans Raabe, Institute for In Vitro Sciences, Inc.
Customized 3D Human Tissues for Discovery
Christophe Egles, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Commercial Production of In Vitro Human Epithelial Models at MatTek Corporation: A Survey of Available Models and Applications
Patrick Hayden, MatTek Corporation
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Bioassay Protocols Workshop
Convener: Dennis Laska, Eli Lilly and Company
Development and validation of reliable bioassays is critical in the consumer product and pharmaceutical industries, as well as for environmental monitoring and bio-defense. This workshop will evaluate the basic requirements and expectations of bioassay development in a round table discussion following a featured presentation by Dr. Pamela Morris and Ms. Maria Vizcaino from the Hollings Marine Laboratory (Charleston, SC).
Speakers:
Searching for Bioactive Compounds from the Natural Environment: Lessons Learned on a Caribbean Coral Reef
Pamela Morris and Maria Vizcaino, Hollings Marine Laboratory
Panelists:
John Harbell, Mary Kay Corporation
William J. Smith, US Army Medical Research Inst of Chem Defense
Amy Wang, GlaxoSmithKline
Marine Invertebrate and Fish Cell Line Establishment Roundtable
Moderator: James J. Grasela, USDA ARS BCIRL
This roundtable discussion aims to provide information on recent developments in marine invertebrate and fish cell culture and their potential uses and applications. This session will focus on in vitro methodologies for developing aquatic animal cell cultures in general, and specific requirements for marine invertebrate and fish tissue culture. Other topics to be discussed will include the mechanistic approaches for immortalizing aquatic invertebrate cells, and the potential uses of marine invertebrate and fish cell lines in aquatic animal health, biotechnology, and environmental monitoring.
Panelists:
David Barnes, Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory
Lucy E. J. Lee, Wilfrid Laurier University
Guy Smagghe, Ghent University
Shirley Pomponi, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Impact of Cell Contamination on Research Symposium
Conveners: John W. Harbell, Mary Kay, Inc., and
Tohru Masui, National Institute of Biomedical Innovation,
JAPAN
In 2007, a group of leading cell culture scientists petitioned the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop an active program for cell line authentication. They cited the importance of cell cultures as research and teaching tools in diverse fields such as medicine, genetics, drug discovery, reconstructive medicine, vaccine development and basic research. Despite the importance of these tools, there exists a gap in the fundamental principles of cell line quality control across too much of the user community. In particular, they pointed to the documented problems with cell line authentication. The frequency that research has been compromised by the use of contaminated or misidentified cell lines has become a clear concern to scientists, granting agencies and scientific journals. This is not a new issue for in vitro research or the SIVB. Over three decades ago, Dr. Nelson-Rees documented the contamination of many cell lines with the rapidly growing HeLa line. Since then, other individuals and organization have worked to identify problem cell lines and develop methods for authentication. This symposium was organized to bring speakers from three of the major cell repositories in Asia, Europe, and North America. Their presentations will address the extent of the problem in each area, their technical approaches for authentication, and overall programs to reduce the use of misidentified cell line. While this symposium will focus largely on animal-derived cells lines, the principles would be applicable to all cell types.
Speakers:
Simple Sequence Length Polymorphism (SSLP) Analysis to Determine the Strain from Which Mouse Cell Lines Are Derived
Yukio Nakamura, Riken, Japan
Widespread Inter- and Intraspecies Cross-contamination of Cell Lines - Causes and Solutions
Wilhelm Dirks, Deutsche Sammlung für Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH
Misidentification of Animal Cell Lines: Impact on Research
Yvonne Reid, ATCC
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Insect Pathogen Field Exploration and In Vitro
Propagation Roundtable
Conveners: Guido F. Caputo, National Resources
Canada, and Pauline O. Lawrence, University of Florida
- Gainesville
Insects, the most diverse, damaging, and adaptable
of all species can be found in the most critical
of environments ranging from ocean bottoms to swamps,
desserts and forests. Viruses, fungi, bacteria,
and protozoa, can kill insects and are often incorporated
into an integrated pest management control program.
These pathogenic microorganisms are naturally occurring
in nature and can be reproduced to working volumes
in laboratories. This session will focus on the
latest molecular identification techniques and genetic
engineering protocols and procedures for locating,
collecting and processing these organisms. Discussion
will include susceptible hosts for their in vitro
propagation and the regulatory agencies and their
requirements before they can be re-introduced back
to the field as biological control agents.
Speakers:
Current Trends on the Identification and Propagation of Entomopathogenic Nematodes
S. Patricia Stock, University of Arizona
In Vitro Culture of an Entomopoxvirus from a Parasitic Wasp and its Potential to Control Tephritid Fruit Flies
Pauline O. Lawrence, University of Florida
Foreign Exploration of Potential Entomopathogen Agents for the Control of the Diamondback Moth, Plutella xylostella: a Case Study
James Grasela, USDA, ARS, BCIRL
Baculoviruses as Effective Bio-control Agents of Forest Pests
Guido F. Caputo, Natural Resources Canada
Protocols for Cell Line Characterization, Identification, and Contamination Testing Symposium
Convener: Amy M. Wright, CIBA Vision Corporation
Data collected from in vitro tissue culture studies are used in the determination and evaluation of novel products and cell responses in the drug, medical device and biomedical industries. To insure that the data collected are accurate, the scientist needs tools for cell culture identification, possible background contamination, and cross culture contamination. Increased scrutiny within the publishing establishment has begun to require that the studies performed with cell culture systems are representative as such. This symposium will cover areas of Endotoxin concern; Endotoxin or bacterial contamination, cell culture identification, protein levels of cell cultures or within assays for biomarker determination.
Speakers:
Using the PTS (Portable Test System): Hand-held Technology for Rapid Assessment of Microbial Contamination
Norman R. Wainwright, Charles River Laboratories
Cell Line ID and Contamination Detection by Allele-specific TaqMan Assays
Caifu Chen, Life Technologies
Mycoplasmal Contamination: Risk Reduction Strategies and Diagnostic Methods.
Jill Mariano, Bionique Testing Laboratories, Inc.
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
How to Get the Most Out of Scientific Conferences
Convener: Phillip J. Kauth, University of Florida
Attending scientific conferences is an ideal opportunity to network, meet contacts, and explore recent developments in your professional field. However, many participants come to meetings unprepared and are overwhelmed during the meeting. These aspects are often different whether participants are students, post-docs, first-time or long-time attendees. Learning how to effectively maneuver through a conference is essential. The best way to learn the most effective ways to get the most out of meetings is to talk with other attendees. During this session, a diverse panel of participants will solicit questions and discuss ways to make meetings low-stress and highly productive.
Panelists:
Michael J. Bosela, Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne
Timothy R. Johnson, University of Florida
Gregory C. Phillips,Arkansas State University
Barbara M. Reed, USDA/ARS
Nancy A. Reichert, Mississippi State University
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Student Networking Symposium: Build Your Written/Oral
Skills, Advertise Yourself and Find That Perfect
Job
Convener: Phillip J. Kauth, University of Florida
Professional networking is easily the most effective and powerful strategy for conducting a job search in any economy. In 2009, with the state of the current economy and the dismal employment outlook, it may be the only way to identify and locate available positions and help get a foot in the door. The primary responsibilities of the job seeker in this process are to be educated about their prospective audience, the current trends in their targeted field, and to make sure he/she is equipped with the best possible tools and have them readily available. After conducting some basic research on where the job pools may exist for graduates with a background in biology and research with this particular focus, there appears to be reason for optimism. The areas of health care research, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and genetically driven research are not occupational areas included in the current negative employment projections. There is every reason to believe that a well prepared candidate, with an effective job search plan, will be successful in securing a position in their chosen field.
Speaker:
Karen Eippert, College of Charleston
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Student Networking Luncheon
Conveners: Phillip J. Kauth, University of Florida
and Richelle Monaghan, University of Waterloo
Students and their advisors are invited and encouraged
to attend the luncheon to discuss Sunday's night
workshop. Also those hoping to network with student
SIVB members are encouraged to attend as well. This
luncheon will provide an excellent opportunity for
attendees to further network with other students,
SIVB members, and conference attendees. In addition,
Dr. David Ellis, curator and plant physiologist
for National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation
(USDA) in Fort Collins Colorado, will be speaking
about the various aspects of government jobs.
Speaker:
A Government Scientist: How it Works With the Agricultural Research Service
David Ellis, National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation, ARS-USDA
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Sharing Science: Promoting Progress Through Public and Media Interactions
Conveners: Pamela J. Weathers, Worchester Polytechnic Institute
Scientists are taught to communicate according to prescribed rules required of their profession. However, it is becoming increasingly critical that they also be able to communicate with nonscientists including regular citizens who have no scientific education, policy makers, and of course, the media. In this short workshop we will explain why it is so critical for each of us to learn how to speak to these different groups of people. Our aim is to provide an opportunity for SIVB members to learn about what works and what doesn’t in terms of working with these diverse groups. Resources will be provided to facilitate such interactions.
Speakers:
Pamela J. Weathers, Worchester Polytechnic Institute
Todd J. Jones, BASF Plant Sciences
Eugene Elmore, University of California - Irvine
Kevin E. Knockenhauer, State University of New York – Stony Brook
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Cryopreservation
Conveners: David D. Ellis, USDA/ARS, and Lia H.
Campbell, Cell and Tissue Systems, Inc.
The cryopreservation of living cells is becoming
routine with many cell, organ or tissue types in
both plants and animals. Despite this, many cellular
aspects of cellular, biochemical, structural and
molecular biology with respect to the ability to
survive cryopreservation are unknown even though
many of these aspects are likely to be common between
animal and plant cells. We know that intracellular
ice formation and growth is lethal in most systems
and that dehydration or removal of the water from
the cells and intercelluar spaces is often required.
Yet cells require this aqueous environment to survive.
This symposium will explore current state of the
art in plant and animal cryobiology with an emphasis
on sustaining a viable, living cell capable of further
growth and manipulation when removed from liquid
nitrogen.
Speakers:
Storage and Distribution Issues for Cryopreserved
Cells and Tissues
Kelvin G. M. Brockbank, Cell & Tissue
Systems, Inc.
Preservation of Biomaterials in the Dry State: Lessons
from Nature
John Crowe, University of California,
Davis
Beyond the Cell Wall: Comparisons Between Plant and Animal Cell Cryopreservation
Hugh Pritchard, UK Seed Conservation
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Intelligent Media Design
Conveners: Jean L. Roberts, Dow Agrosciences, LLC and Soverin Karmiol of SAFC BioSciences
Culture media and the physical environment cannot
be overlooked as an influence in tissue culture
experiments. The utilization of nutrients in media
by the cells over the culture cycle causes physicochemical
changes (pH, osmolarity) in the medium; nutrient
depletion can induce different metabolic pathways
in the cells during different culture phases, and
the accumulation of toxins and free radicals can
induce cell death. We will describe these changes
and demonstrate how media optimization addresses
these potential sources of stress in cultured cells.
The session includes presentations from the plant
and animal tissue culture communities.
Speakers:
Design, Optimization and Handling of Mammalian Cell Culture Media
Paul J. Price, D-Finitive Cell Technologies
A Systematic Approach to Media Development with an Emphasis on Optimization at the Basal Component Level
Soverin Karmiol, SAFC BioSciences
Medium Changes During the Culture Cycle Influence Tobacco Suspension Cell Physiology
Jean Roberts, Dow AgroSciences
Investigation of the Metabolism of Nicotiana tabacum Cells Using the Respiratory Monitoring System (RAMOS)
David Ullisch, RWTH Aachen University
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Evaluation of Human Health Enhancing Products through Animal Assays
Convener: Nirmal Joshee, Fort Valley State University, and Elizabeth J. Roemer, State University of New York – Stony Brook
Botanical materials have long been a fertile source of bioactive components for human health care. There are at least 250,000 species of plants out of which more than one thousand have been found to possess significant anticancer properties. Botanical extracts are frequently used in the cosmeceutical industry, and are finding expanding applications as anti-inflammatory and wound healing pharmaceuticals. This session will review recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of action and structure-function relationships of botanically derived agents at the molecular, cellular and physiological levels.
Speakers:
Botanically Derived Bioactives for Use in Human Health Care
Sandford R. Simon, State University of New York – Stony Brook
Anti-tumor Mechanisms of Various Scutellaria Extracts and Constituent Flavonoids
Prahlad Parajuli, Wayne State University & Karmanos Cancer Institute
Plant Extracts for Cosmeceutical Applications: Genetic Profiling of Cell Responses
Melissa Monaghan, State University of New York – Stony Brook
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Student Oral Presentation Competition of Plant Biotechnology Research
Moderator: Fredy Altpeter, University of Florida-IFAS
Panel of Plant Biotechnology Experts Evaluating the Contestants: Kan Wang, Iowa State University; Vincent Wingate, Biolex Therapeutics; and John Finer, Ohio State University
To support the Society's vision to encourage education and scientific informational exchange and recognize outstanding students, the Plant Biotechnology section of SIVB offers an Oral Presentation Competition of Plant Biotechnology Research. The following finalists for the oral presentation competition were selected from all submitted abstracts by a panel of three plant biotechnology experts based on the quality of the abstracts. Criteria for evaluation of the oral presentations are experimental design, data analysis, proper interpretation of the results, originality of the study, technical difficulty, appearance of the presentation and ability of the student to respond to questions. Winners of the oral presentation competition will be presented a certificate and a cash award at the Plant Biotechnology Section's Business Meeting.
Contestants:
Expressing the Gibberellin Catabolizing Enzyme AT-GA-ox1 in a Low-input Turfgrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) Improves Turf Quality and Field Performance
Paula Lomba, University of Florida-IFAS
Genetic Engineering of Turfgrass and Rice with Two Novel Antimicrobial Peptides for Enhanced Disease Resistance
Man Zhou, Clemson University
Assessing RNAi Gene Targets of Root-knot Nematodes in Composite Transgenic Soybean
Benjamin L. Rambo-Martin, University of Georgia
Highly Efficient Suppressor-dependent Protein Expression in Plants with A Foxtail Mosaic Virus Vector
Zun Liu, Baylor University
Regeneration of Arachis Paraguariensis Through Different Morphogenic Pathways
Olubunmi O. Aina, University of Florida-IFAS
Exogenous Tocopherol and Ascorbic Acid Improve In Vitro Recovery of Cryopreserved Rubus Shoot Tips
Esther E. Uchendu, Oregon State University
Post Doc Oral Presentation Competition of Plant Biotechnology Research
Moderator: Michael Bosela, Indiana University - Purdue University at Fort Wayne
Panel of Plant Biotechnology Experts Evaluating the Contestants: Paula Pijut, USDA Forest Service; Vibha Srivastava, University of Arkansas; Randall P. Niedz, USDA-ARS
To support the Society's vision to encourage education and scientific informational exchange and recognize outstanding postdoctoral research associates, the Plant Biotechnology section of SIVB offers an Oral Presentation Competition of Plant Biotechnology Research. The following finalists for the oral presentation competition were selected from all submitted abstracts by a panel of three plant biotechnology experts based on the quality of the abstracts. Criteria for evaluation of the oral presentations are experimental design, data analysis, proper interpretation of the results, originality of the study, technical difficulty, appearance of the presentation and ability of the post docs to respond to questions. Winners of the oral presentation competition will be presented a certificate and a cash award at the Plant Biotechnology Section's Business Meeting.
Contestants:
Host-delivered RNAi: an Effective Strategy to Silence Nematode Genes in Transgenic Hairy Roots of Soybean
Jiarui Li, Kansas State University
Higher Accumulation of F1-V Fusion Recombinant Protein in Plants After Induction of Protein Body Formation
Maria L. Alvarez, Arizona State University
Transposon Mutagenesis of Soybean (Glycine max) Using the Rice MITE mPing
Charles N. Hancock, University of Georgia
TILLING for Peanut Improvement
Joseph Knoll, University of Georgia
Integration and Expression of E. coli L-aspartate-alpha-decarboxylase in Tobacco Chloroplasts Enhances Photosynthesis and Biomass Accumulation Following High Temperature Stress
Walid M. Fouad, University of Florida-IFAS
Using Endogenous Vitis Genes to Produce Disease Resistant Transgenic Grapevines
Sadanand Dhekney, University of Florida-IFAS
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Transgenic Approaches in Oil Modification
Convener: T. E. Clemente, University of Nebraska
A significant amount of progress has been made in understanding fatty acid biosynthesis in plant cells, in addition to a wealth of DNA sequence information that is available from a plethora of organisms. These biochemical and genomics resources will serve as valuable tools that will enable the translation of this information to applied technologies. The plant kingdom possesses a large repository of fatty acids with different structures and physical properties that hold great potential as sources for food, biofuel and biomaterial applications. However, many of these novel fatty acids accumulate in plants that lack agronomic potential. Hence, the ability to manipulate oil metabolism in scalable feedstocks through genetic transformation of established lipid feedstocks offers a realistic avenue for the synthesis of novel fats at production levels that can meet the demands of the market. The speakers in this session will describe strategies for the modification of seed oils for various market applications. A round-table discussion will be held at the end of the session allowing for an open dialogue on the promise and hurdles facing the development and marketing of modified feedstocks for the production of novel oils for food, feed, and biomaterials.
Speakers:
Enhancing Soybean Seed Lipid Biosynthesis for Nutritional, Energy and Industrial Applications
Anthony Kinney, DuPont Experimental Station
Camelina sativa, a Potential Oilseed Platform for the Production of High-value Industrial Oils
Ed Cahoon, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Modifying Soybean Oil for Feed and Fuel
Tom Clemente, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Plant In Vitro Culture Lab Exercises
Convener: Michael E. Kane, University of Florida
College science teachers often need new and exciting
approaches to engage students during laboratory
sessions. In vitro biology exercises are easy to
incorporate into science courses. Many students
have limited exposure to in vitro biology, yet become
very interested once exposed to various in vitro
techniques. Including in vitro techniques into laboratory
curriculum is an exciting approach to teach students
critical thinking and basic laboratory skills. However,
the availability of reliable, effective, and efficient
laboratory exercises is often limited. During this
symposium an overview of four unique in vitro plant
tissue culture laboratory exercises will be presented.
Using Tobacco to Teach Plant Tissue Culture and
Transformation
Margaret Young, Elizabeth City State University
A Classroom Exercise in Asymbiotic Orchid Seed Germination:
The Whole Story
Timothy R. Johnson and Philip Kauth, University
of Florida
Using Plant Tissue Culture to Demonstrate Plant
Mineral Nutrient Deficiencies: Comparison with Conventional
Hydroponic Techniques
Michael Bosela, Indiana University- Purdue
University - Fort Wayne
A Novel Teaching Exercise to Demonstrate Synthetic
Seed Technology
Michael Kane, University of Florida
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Tree Biotechnology
Conveners: Shujun Chang, ArborGen, LLC, and Scott Merkle, University of Georgia
Forest trees are important resources for the world.
As forested land area continues to decline at the
rate of about 7.7 million ha/year due mainly to
conversion to agriculture or urbanization, purpose-grown,
highly-productive forest plantations have become
an increasingly important source of wood and other
forest products. Building upon the gains made via
conventional breeding and silvicultural practices,
biotechnology offers an exciting opportunity to
optimize the potential of trees and to bring quality
and productivity to an unprecedented level. In this
session, we intend to highlight recent, exciting
developments in tree biotechnology. Speakers will
present their research demonstrating recent developments
in tree genomics, gene discovery, and gene function
analysis and product development through mass clonal
propagation and genetic transformation.
Speakers:
Advances in Comparative Genomics Work in Populus and Effort to Elucidate the Genetic Control of Carbon Allocation, Wood Quality, and Growth Traits
Jerry Tuskan, Oak Ridge National Lab
Research Developments in Phenylpropanoid Metabolism
Chung-Jui Tsai, University of Georgia
Cisgenic and Intragenic Approaches to Genetic Modification of Growth and Form in Poplar
Steven Strauss, Oregon State University
Hardwood Tree Biotech Advances in Southeastern US
Scott Merkle, University of Georgia
Freeze Tolerant Eucalyptus
Maud Hinchee, Arborgen LLC
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Challenges to Large Scale Liquid Plant Micropropagation
Conveners: Jeffrey W. Adelberg, Clemson University, and Ebrahim Firoozabady, Del Monte Fresh Produce Company
Micropropagation is often limited to high value ornamental plants and found too costly for large scale industrial crops. Almost all micropropagation is done on semi-solid medium despite greater efficiencies of liquid media propagation: lower materials cost and less preparation time, reduced labor during transfer - clean room and greenhouse, greater plant growth due to better uptake of nutrients, and greater opportunities for automation in scale-up. Considerable barriers, however, may prevent implementation of liquid culture in large scale operations. These include the possibility of hyperhydricity, a lack of equipment and process, the increased risk of contamination in large vessels, and costly investment in new vessels with mechanized aeration. In this symposium, speakers will share their experiences developing commercially scaled liquid micropropagation systems with value added germplasm.
Speakers:
Introduction to Large Scale Liquid Micropropagation Systems
Jeffrey W. Adelberg, Clemson University
Transgenic Loblolly Pine and Large Scale Micropropagation
Shujun Chang, ArborGen, LLC
Industrial Scale Mass Micropropagation and Somaclonal Selection of Arundo and Miscanthus Elite Lines
Laszlo Marton, University of South Carolina
The Utilization of Temporary Immersion System (RITA) to Enhance Initial Steps in Commercial Micropropagation of Cordyline spp.
Cuauhtemoc Navarro, Agromod
Plant Transgene Expression Systems
Convener: Allan R. Wenck, BASF Plant Sciences
Technology is rapidly evolving to deliver improved
and alternative methods for currently utilized plant
transgene expression systems. One gene may no longer
be enough. In addition, methods to fine tune expression
of transgenes and even endogenous genes are required.
Further, multi-gene solutions and even whole metabolic
pathways are increasingly being seen as required
for transgenic solutions. In this session several
different possibilities will be explored. New modular
vectors for Agrobacterium mediated transformation
will be discussed. Technology to better control
transgenes and even endogenous genes will be presented.
Finally, the potential for engineering complete
plant artificial chromosomes will be explored.
Speakers:
Modular Assembly of Multi Gene Plant Transformation
Vectors
Tzvi Tzfira, The University of Michigan
Editing the Genome of Crop Plants with Engineered Zinc Finger Proteins
Philip D. Gregory, Sangamo BioSciences
Inc.
Engineered Minichromosomes in Maize
James A. Birchler, University of Missouri
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Graphical Statistical Software
and Animated Visualizations
Convener: Jeffrey W. Adelberg, Clemson University
Graphical visualization of data from multivariate analyses allows us to explore the statistical, and perhaps cryptic relationships, among treatments. The workshop will 1) show strategies and methods for designing in vitro experimentation where multiple factors (e.g., media inputs and environmental conditions) and responses (e.g., growth and development) are varied; 2) analyze with the objective of optimizing one or multiple responses; and 3) present the data analysis in highly graphical formats (static and dynamic) that capture the most important factor/response relationships. The overall approach is commonly used in process engineering, but has particular relevance to in vitro biology experimentation.
Speakers:
Design of Multivariate Experiments
William C. Bridges, Clemson University
Optimizing Macro-nutrients for Stage II and Stage III of Micropropagation Using Response Surface Methodology
Jeffrey W. Adelberg, Clemson University
Visualization, Interpretation, and Mining of Data from Multivariate Designs
Randall Niedz, USDA-ARS
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Production of Value Added Products in Transgenic
Plants
Conveners: Maria Somleva, Metabolix, Inc.
As renewable sources of energy and raw materials, agricultural feedstocks are the ultimate replacement of declining oil reserves. Plants use solar energy and carbon dioxide to make thousands of complex and functional biochemicals beyond the capability of the modern synthetic chemistry. Plant-based products include fine and bulk chemicals, pharmaceuticals, polymers, resins, food additives, bio-colorants, adhesives, solvents, and lubricants. Plant inputs are already cost-competitive for some of these products and have great social and environmental benefits. Genetic engineering of crop plants as production platforms for modified and novel materials provides a sustainable solution for high value eco-friendly industrial applications. This approach requires new science and technology to be directed at better understanding and modifying plant development and metabolism, designing new harvesting and extraction technologies, and developing improved manufacturing systems. The speakers in this session will highlight recent advances in engineering bioenergy and industrial crops for production of biodegradable plastics, rubber, and modified plant oils.
Speakers:
Engineering Oilseeds for the Production of Polymers and Industrial Oils
Jan Jaworski, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Manipulation of Reserve Content in Cottonseeds to Influence Oil, Protein and Fiber Yield
Kent Chapman, University of North Texas
Engineering Rubber Production in Plants
Maureen C. Whalen, USDA-ARS
Biomass and Industrial Oilseed Crops as Platforms for Production of Biodegradable Plastics
Maria Somleva, Metabolix, Inc.
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Risk Assessment and Transgene Containment
in Transgenic Crops
Convener: C. Neal Stewart, Jr., University of Tennessee
To the surprise of many scientists in plant biotechnology,
transgene flow from crops to non-transgenic crops
and wild relatives is still of deep regulatory,
environmental and consumer concern. This symposium
will critically examine the risks that might result
from transgene flow in the forms of hybridization
and introgression. Case studies will be presented.
Among the more prominent cases are those involving
creeping bentgrass and alfalfa, in which gene flow
has been an important determinant in preventing
commercialization, as well as post-commercialization
of introgression of transgenes from herbicide-tolerant
canola. Therefore, it is clear that biocontainment
technologies would be valuable assets toward reducing
transgene flow risks and inadvertent admixture of
transgenes in erstwhile nontransgenic crops. Fortunately,
there are recent important developments of containment
biotechnologies for removing transgenes, inducing
male sterility, and precision tools for altering
gene transmission in plants. The symposium will
look back at past situations, examine current questions,
and look forward to future containment of transgenes.
The latter will be especially important as we consider
future applications of biotechnology in the development
of perennial plants for the new bioeconomy.
Speakers:
Gene Flow from GM Crops
Suzanne I. Warwick, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Gene Confinement for the Future
Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island
Targeting the Seed for Gene Confinement
Melvin J Oliver, University of Missouri
10:30 am - 12: 30 pm
Advances in Enhancing Transgene Expression Levels
in Plants Using Nuclear or Transplastomic Approaches
Convener: Kasi Azhakanandam, Syngenta Biotechnology,
Inc.
Since the production of the first transgenic plants
more than a quarter century ago, remarkable progress
has been made in terms of expressing various transgenes
for different purposes. However, demands for expressing
heterologous proteins at high levels in different
plants/crops are ever increasing as plants continue
to gain recognition as an alternative and competitive
expression system. Consequently, novel approaches
have been developed based on both nuclear and plastid
transformation processes. In this session, we have
exciting talks lined up to highlight unconventional
ways to enhance recombinant protein expression levels
in plants.
Speakers:
Strategies to Increase Enzyme Expression in Plants
Kasi Azhakanandam,Syngenta Biotechnology Inc.
Engineering of transgenes for high-level protein
expression in chloroplasts
Pal Maliga, Rutgers, The State University
of New Jersey
Deconstructing and Reconstructing Soybean Seed
Protein Accumulation To Enhance Foreign Protein
Yield
Eliot M. Herman, Donald Danforth Plant
Science Center
Highlights in Plant Biotechnology in the Southeast
Convener: Peggy Ozias-Akins, University of Georgia
The annual Society for In Vitro Biology meeting
rotates to a different region of the country each
year. With the 2009 meeting being held in Charleston,
SC, a venue that is relatively easy to reach from
the Atlantic coast states of the southeast, four
of these states will participate in the session
on highlights of plant biotechnology in the southeast.
Plant biotechnology industries, particularly those
with strong agricultural divisions, are well represented
in the southeast and rely on state universities
to provide a part of their trained workforce. Faculty
from four research universities will give brief
overviews of biotechnology expertise and opportunities
at their respective institutions, then will provide
specific examples of their own biotechnology-related
research.
Speakers:
Viral Suppression of RNA Silencing: Toward Mechanism
Vicki Vance, University of South Carolina
The North Carolina Research Campus: A Transdisciplinary Approach to the Science of Wellness
Mary Ann Lila, North Carolina State University and Kannapolis North Carolina Research Campus
Apomixis in Crops: Hope or Hype?
Peggy Ozias-Akins, University of Georgia
Generation and Risk Assessment of Apomictic, Transgenic Turf and Forage Grass (Paspalum notatum Flugge)
Fredy Altpeter, University of Florida