2nd Global Summit on Plant Science October 06-08, 2016 Hilton London Heathrow Airport, UK

Biography:

I have completed my M.Sc. (Forestry) at the age of 23 years from Forest Research Institute University, Dehradun, India. Working as a researcher since 5 years at Global Change Research Center and simultaneously pursuing PhD (Forest Ecology and Landscape Engineering) at Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic. I have more than 20 publications (including peer reviewed journals, book chapters and conference proceedings) and delivered few lectures in national and international conferences. I have attended many national and international conferences, workshops and summer schools including 2 months research stay University of Antwerp, Belgium.

Abstract:

Evidence shows increasing climate change, and a consequent alteration in physical systems of the earth. For food, agriculture is one of the main sources on earth but this area is suffering from climate change on a large scale. On other hand, because of industrialization deforestation is a major problem and limiting source of fossil fuels. Agroforestry interventions, due to their ability to provide economic, ecological, and environmental/microclimatic benefits, are considered to be the best in making communities adapt and become resilient to the impacts of climate change. Agroforestry can add a high level of diversity within agricultural land. The essential elements of agroforestry systems may play an important role in the adaptation to climate change, which include changes in the microclimate, mitigating climate change (reducing carbon emission and increasing carbon sequestration), improving soil fertility, and protect the soil erosion from wind and water. The role of agroforestry systems in the adaptation to expected changes in climate by slivoarable in Europe, smallholder (home gardens and parklands) farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (protect coffee from high temperatures) and large scale (intercropping) in India and China in particular ecological/microclimatic, economic and production services that communicate resilience to the impact of climate change. Agroforestry is a traditional farming system which is no longer popular in Europe but still being widely practiced in developing countries for example India, China, Kenya, Tanzania and Mexico etc

Biography:

Wei-Cai Yang has completed his PhD in 1994 from Wageningen University, Netherlands and then Post-doctoral studies at Wageningen University, Cold Spring Habor Laboratory, and Institute of Molecular Agrobiology in Singapore, respectively. He is a Principal Investigator and the Director of Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He has published more than 60 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of a number of scientifi c journals.

Abstract:

During evolution, novel reproductive structures and mechanisms have been emerged in plants. In angiosperms, such evolutionary development is manifested by the fl ower, multicellular gametophyte, double fertilization, loss of sperm motility and siphonogamy in which the immotile sperm is delivered to the egg by a pollen tube produced by the male gametophyte (pollen), a process named pollen tube guidance (PTG). Previous studies suggested that PTG requires the intimate interactions between the pollen tube and maternal tissue of the pistil and the female gametophyte, respectively. Th rough genetic screen, we isolated a number of Arabidopsis mutants that disrupt these processes. CCG, a central cell-specifi cally expressed gene, is required for the female gametophyte to attract the pollen tube. CCG encodes nuclear protein that regulates the expression of a number genes important for PTG via interacting with RNA polymerase II, the mediator complex and AGL transcription factors. POD1, a pollen tube-expressed gene, is required for the male gametophyte to respond to the female signals. POD1 encodes a ER protein that interact specifi cally with CRT3, suggesting that it might play a role in the protein folding of putative receptor proteins. Recently, we identifi ed the male MDIS/MDIK receptor complex that recognizes the female attracting signals. These fi ndings provide novel insight to mechanims controlling PTG. More recent progresses will be discussed.

Biography:

Rajinder Singh is currently a Principal Research Officer at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board. He has been with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board for the last 19 years. He holds a PhD in Plant Genetics and is currently the Head of Genomics Unit of the Advanced Biotechnology & Breeding Centre, at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). He has authored and co-authored more than 32 refereed publications

Abstract:

Systematic progress made via conventional breeding has allowed yield gains for oil palm, and made the oil palm industry commercially viable in South East Asia, particularly Malaysia and Indonesia. However, its long selection cycle and large land requirement for breeding trials has made subsequent progress slow and tedious. Genomics guided breeding is an attractive option to help this crop meet its true potential. However, the development of appropriate tools, such molecular marker systems and identification of markers and or gene(s) linked to traits of interest has been generally slow. The effort received a boost when its genome was sequenced in 2013 using a combination of 454/Roche technology and BAC end sequencing. The availability of the sequence assembly and a well-structured breeding programme allowed the identification of genes influencing two important monogenic traits, which was a major breakthrough for this perennial crop. The subsequent development of the first molecular diagnostic assay, the SureSawit^TM Shell kit has allowed marker assisted selection (MAS) to be a reality for oil palm. Building on this success, the epigenome of oil palm was also unraveled in order to examine DNA methylation alterations in clonal palms. Deciphering of the epigenome and understanding the causes of clonal abnormality has also made large scale tissue culture of oil palm feasible.

Biography:

Vivek L Manekar is currently an Associate Professor in Civil Engineering department at S V National Institute of Technology, Surat, India. He completed his Master’s and PhD from VNIT, Nagpur. His broad areas of research are “Soil weather modeling, sediment transportation and climate change impacts on water resources”.

Abstract:

Agro meteorological rice yield prediction models are developed in this paper for Surat district of Gujarat state, India. Agro meteorological rice yield prediction models such as agromet yield, agromet spectral yield and agromet spectral trend yield were developed by using multiple-linear regression analysis and on the basis of examination of coefficient of determination (R²), and relative deviation (RD) values, resulted from different agromet models, the best agromet subset was selected to develop agromet-spectral trend-yield model. Tmin, Tmax and HTU (Heliothermal Units), NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and TPY (Trend Predicted Yield) are the best agromet subset to incorporate in agromet spectral-trend-yield models.

Biography:

Nitin Bharadiya is currently from S.V.National Institute of Technology, Surat,India. He did his B. Tech (Agri. Engg.) from Junagadh Agri. University and M. Tech in Civil Engineering (WRE) from S.V.National Institute of Technology, Surat.

Abstract:

Estimation of crop yield is a difficult task due to its dependency over many factors. Crop models are considered to be an important tool for gaining a theoretical understanding of a crop production system. It is considered that effective crop modeling must combine a scientific approach to increase understanding with an applications orientation to retain an attention on prediction and problem-solving. In practice Miami, Thornthwaite and many such models are available and widely used for prediction of crop yield. Agro-climatic Crop-yield modeling refers to a technique which can be used to scale the effect of climate on yields. A crop model makes our insights into the physiological and ecological processes that govern crop growth into mathematical equations. Here agro-climatic sugarcane yield model is developed using dimensional analysis approach in which it is tried to include most significant parameters from the climate, soil and agricultural domain which plays key role in its yield prediction. Developed Agro-climatic sugarcane yield model is different from the existing models due to consideration of above predominant parameters all together which made it more sensitive towards climatic changes. Estimated sugarcane yield using developed model is compared with the actual yield for its validation which shows good agreement. Also the statistical performance of the model shows its fitness. Model comparison with the established models shows better performance

Biography:

Nwaiwu Juan Chinatu is a PhD holder and a Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development at Imo State University Owerri, Nigeria. She is a Senior Lecturer and teaches courses in “Diffusion of innovation, rural and community development, entrepreneurship, communication in extension among others”. She has been lecturing for more than 19 years with a research interest on “Arable crop farmers and soil degradation”. She has attended so many conferences both locally and internationally and published more than 25 journals and has also attended so many training and workshop in the field of Agriculture.

Abstract:

Improved cassava varieties have been developed and disseminated to farmers in the study area but the yield of cassava have been limited by poor farming practices which has led to soil degradation. This study therefore analyses the farmers’ perceived effect of soil degradation on the yield of improved cassava varieties. 342 randomly selected farmers from three states that make up the south eastern zone were interviewed with a structured questionnaire. Data collected include; farming practices employed by the farmers, soil degradation experienced, perceived effect of soil degradation on yield of cassava. Also, the study hypothesized that the farming practices employed by farmers have no significant effect on soil degradation. The data obtained was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The result revealed that most of the farmers (96.2%) cleared and burnt their farmland before use, practiced complete tillage (88.3%) and makes use of pesticides (74.8%). The types of soil degradation observed by most of the farmers include; water erosion (88.8%), deforestation (83.3%), and wind erosion (83.2%). The grand mean of 2.55 as indicated by the Likert type scale shows that farmers perceived soil degradation affects the yields of cassava irrespective of the variety planted. The result of the probit multiple regression was significant at 5%, therefore, the hypothesis was rejected. The study recommends among others, that the Nigerian government with the help of the research institutes should concentrate more on ways to conserve the degraded soil of the south east than carrying out research on more improved varieties as the degraded soil is affecting the yield of the improved varieties.

Biography:

Ambrose Okem has completed his PhD from University of KwaZulu-Natal and currently doing postdoctoral fellowship at Cape peninsula University of Technology in medicinal plant research. He has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as reviewer of reputed journals

Abstract:

The global demand for medicinal plant products has increased in the last two decades leading to overexploitation and sometimes extinction. Plant biotechnology is one of the efficient approach used to engineer the biosynthesis of essential and/or bioactive compounds in plants. This study was aimed to develop a micropropagation protocol for Agathosma betulina, one of the most highly utilized medicinal plant in South Africa as well as to enhance the biosynthesis of some bioactive compounds by manipulating media compositions. Seeds and leaf tissues from explant of A. betulina were decontaminated thereafter, subcultured on MS media adjusted with different concentration of BA, NAA, IBA and DAA. Regenerants with well-developed root system were acclimatized for five months. Dried samples from in vitro cultures and acclimatized plants were extracted using dichloromethane and analyzed for phytochemical compositions using GC-MS. An efficient decontamination protocol was developed for micropropagation of A. betulina. Over 80% seed germination was recorded using scarification technique. Leave tissue from explant grown on ½ MS media had significantly high shoot proliferation, shoot length and number of leaves compared to the other treatments. Phytochemical analysis revealed significantly higher amounts of various phytochemicals accumulated in the leaf compared to stem and callus/roots. The most abundant phytochemicals were recorded in media containing NAA 0.5 mL^-1 in the following order; limonene˃pulegone˃isomenthone (68, 39 and 33% respectively). In vitro cultures of A. betulina accumulated more phytochemicals compared to the acclimatized plant. Perhaps this could be that the phytohormones induced synthesis of certain compounds in in vitro culture. A. betulina possess a number of pharmacological properties including anticancer, antimicrobial and antioxidant. These activities are linked to inherent phytochemical contents. Hence, engineering the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds in A. betulina is an efficient means to meet the high demands for this plant.

Biography:

Learnmore Kambizi completed his PhD from the University of Fort Hare, South Africa in 2005. He is an Associate Professor at Cape Peninsula University of Technology. He has published more than 28 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as a Reviewer of various journals in the field of Plant Sciences.

Abstract:

The methanol extracts of some commonly used medicinal plants used for treatment of skin infections and disorders were screened for their antioxidant activity using ascorbic acid as standard antioxidant. The free radical scavenging activity was evaluated using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical. The analysis was performed using a Phoenix-2000 V UV-VIS spectrophotometer. The methanol extracts of Protorhus longifolia, Gnidia capitata, Macaranga capensis, Syzygium cordatum and Hypoxis hemerocallidea showed significantly higher free radical scavenging activity than that of ascorbic acid while Kniphofia drepanophylla showed weak antioxidant activity. The IC₅₀ of former plant extracts were 11.5, 14.4, 14.6, 40.0, 41.2 and 44.0 µg/ml respectively while the IC₅₀ value for K. drepanophylla could not be determined at 100µg/ml. The DPPH free radical scavenging activity of the plant extracts increased with increasing concentration. Generally, results revealed that these medicinal plants are potential sources of natural antioxidant.

Biography:

Ogbuehi Hyginus completed his PhD from Imo State University. He completed his MSc and BSc from University of Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria. He is a Lecturer at Department of Crop Science & Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Imo state University, Owerri, Nigeria. He has published more than 23 papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

The laboratory study to determine the effects of ginger extract on the shelf-life and quality of tomato was conducted in the laboratory of the Department of Crop Science and Biotechnology, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with four replications. Various concentrations (50 ml, 100 ml and 200 ml) of ginger extract formed the treatments, while the untreated fruits formed the control. Parameters such as colour change, spoilage, shrinkage (firmness) were measured; other parameters monitored were the weight loss, and nutritive values. Results showed that fruits in the control significantly (P<0.05) lost higher weights than fruits treated with ginger extract especially with 200 ml for 5 minutes. Also, the firmness in the treated fruits was higher than the untreated. The ascorbic acid and other nutrients were higher in the ginger extract treated fruits

Biography:

Pushpa Kharb is presently a Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology, Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, CCSHAU, Hisar. She served as Director (Technical), Centre for Plant Biotechnology for three years. She completed her MSc and PhD in Genetics from CCSHAU, Hisar. She was a Rockefeller Foundation Post-doctoral Fellow for two years at Texas A & M University, USA. She has been granted two patents so far out of seven patents filed. She is a recipient of ICAR sponsored Best Teacher award. She is a member of several academic societies and has published more than 50 research papers in national and international journals.

Abstract:

The genetic control and mechanisms leading to sex differentiation in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis Link Schneider) are not known. Genomic DNA from a total of 45 genotypes (25 female and 20 male) of date palm was subjected to PCR amplification using 100 RAPD and 104 ISSR primers. Only one RAPD primer OPA-02 amplified a fragment of 1.0 kb in all the male genotypes. This male specific fragment was sequenced and the sequence was deposited in GenBank (accession no. JN123357). SCAR dpF (forward) and SCAR dpR (reverse) primers were designed based on this male-specific sequence. This primer pair amplified a 406 bp fragment in both female and male genotypes and a unique allele of 354 bp in only male genotypes (patent filed; application no. 1513/DEL/2010 dated 29/6/10). The SCAR marker was further validated using 25 female and 10 male date palm plants belonging to different varieties. Similarly in jojoba, an ISSR marker (already identified by our group) amplifying a unique allele of 1100 bp in only male genotypes was first confirmed using 10 male and 10 female genotypes. This male-specific fragment was cloned and sequenced. The sequence was deposited in the GenBank (accession no. HQ166029). Primers SCAR scF (forward) and SCAR scR (reverse) was designed based on this sequence amplified a unique allele of 1000 bp in male genotypes only (patent Application no. 1563/DEL/2010 dated 02/7/10). The SCAR marker was further validated using five male and five female jojoba genotypes which was not used earlier.

Biography:

Michelle de Souza Fayad Andre has postdoctoral position at the Plant Molecular Laboratory in the Department of Botany, University of Brasilia. She is also a Junior Researcher at the University of Brasilia. Her current work is part of an ongoing research project directed towards the understanding of the role aluminum on the growth and development of Brazilian savanna flora. This research has been funded by FAPDF (Research funding foundation of Brasilia) and CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel).

Abstract:

Qualea dichotoma (Mart.) Warm. (Vochysiaceae) is adapted to high aluminum (Al³⁺) contents in soils. The present study seeks to contribute to the understanding of the role of this metal on growth and development of native species of Brazilian savanna. Therefore, Q. dichotoma seedlings were grown with and without Al for 120 days. After 60 days of cultivation, the control plants (no Al) presented reduced chlorophylls a e b and carotenoids contents when compared with those grown with Al. The histochemical analysis (hematoxylin) showed high coloration intensity in leaves (midveins), a well as in stems and roots of Al-treated plants. GC-MS based metabolic analysis also detected differences in metabolite contents between control and Al-treated plants. Leaves of control plants had significantly higher amounts of malate, citrate, glyceric acid, pyroglutamic acid. In Addition, in roots the amount of the amino acid serine was significantly higher in control plants. The data strongly indicates that control plants were under stress due to the lack of Al, which may be associated with the high levels of organic acids in these plants. Thereby, Al appears to be required for proper growth and development of this species. Additionally, myo -inositol and quinic acid and sucrose in leaves and roots of treated plants may be related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) assisting the plants better development and adaptation in acidic soils. Based on the results, Al may play an important role on Q. dichotoma metabolism.

Biography:

Renata Cristina Costa e Silva is a PhD student at the Department of Botany, University of Brazilian. Her thesis proposal is directed towards unravelling the metabolic role of Al in Cerrado plants. These plants need Al to grow and develop. Currently, she is on the process of evaluating the transcriptome of Qualea grandiflora grown with and without Al. This research has been funded by FAPDF (Research funding foundation of Brasilia) and CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel).

Abstract:

Qualea grandiflora Mart. is a species of Brazilian savanna (Cerrado) that depends on aluminum (Al) to grow and develop properly. In this study, the metabolic profile of Q. grandiflora roots and leaves grown with and without Al has been investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The score plots of principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminate analysis (PLS-DA) showed clear discrimination between control and Al-treated samples of both tissues samples. The metabolic profile indicated that the presence of Al caused changes in sugars, amino acids and organic acids accumulation between treatments. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of integration data demonstrated Q. grandiflora grown with Al resulted in biochemical changes in several metabolic pathways including carbohydrate metabolism, glutathione metabolism, photosynthesis, amino acid metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation-related pathways. Furthermore, an integrated analysis of the effects of Al will be performed on metabolites and transcripts levels in Q. grandiflora. These results will contribute to elucidate the metabolic role of Al in this native species, which can be the basis for genetic manipulation of crop plants towards higher tolerance to acid soils.

Biography:

Dr. Rajasekaran is a senior Research Biologist with the USDA-ARS. He obtained his B.S and M.S. from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India. After receiving his Ph.D. from The University of Sydney, Dr. Rajasekaran has continuously worked on the application of recombinant DNA technology towards genetic improvement of food, feed and fiber crops. He has published 135 full length publications plus 12 U.S. patents, >50 international patents, and 168 national/international conference abstracts. He serves as an Adjunct Professor in five universities. Currently his research focus at USDA-ARS is on effective control or elimination of preharvest aflatoxin contamination caused by Aspergillus spp through biotechnological means in cotton and maize .

Abstract:

The fungus Aspergillus flavus infects maize, cottonseed, peanut, and tree nut crops and produces aflatoxin, a highly toxic and carcinogenic secondary metabolite. Development of transgenic crops that resist fungal infection is difficult because of the complexity of the host-plant-pathogen interactions and it is more difficult to control saprophytic/opportunistic pathogenic fungi such as A. flavus. We have demonstrated in our laboratory several means of controlling the fungal growth and toxin production in transgenic cotton and maize. These include expression of a heterologous antifungal protein or synthetic peptides. For example, maize transformed with the α-amylase inhibitor protein from hyacinth bean showed reduced fungal growth and aflatoxin levels in kernel screening assays. We have also demonstrated significant anti-flavus activity with several synthetic, lytic peptides such as cecropin-based D4E1 or tachyplesin-based AGM peptides. Transgenic maize lines expressing one of these synthetic peptides AGM 182 showed significant reduction in fungal growth and toxin production (>65%). Transgenic cotton expressing D4E1 also showed antifungal properties and several field tests are being conducted for evaluation. We are currently employing host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) in which the pathogen (A. flavus) is directed by the host plant to down regulate the expression of its own gene(s) affecting its growth, invasion and/or toxin production. Significant reduction in both fungal growth and aflatoxin levels was observed in several transgenic maize lines compared to control. In this presentation examples of various transgenic approaches to control A. flavus growth and aflatoxin contamination in food and feed crops will be summarized.

Biography:

Nigel Halford graduated from Liverpool University in 1983, obtained a Masters degree from University College London in 1984 and his PhD from the UK’s Council for National Academic Awards while at Rothamsted in 1989. In 1991 he moved to Long Ashton Research Station near Bristol but returned to Rothamsted as a Research Leader in 2002. His research programme concerns the genetics of metabolic regulation in crops, how plant metabolism is affected by stress and how it can be manipulated for crop improvement and improved food safety. Professor Halford is a fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, Visiting Professor at Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Special Professor at the University of Nottingham.

Abstract:

Acrylamide is a processing contaminant that forms from free asparagine and reducing sugars during high-temperature cooking and processing. It is a Class 2a carcinogen (probably carcinogenic to humans) and its presence in a range of popular foods is a major problem for the food industry. Cereal and potato products, together with coffee, are the major contributors to dietary acrylamide. We aim to provide the knowledge, tools and resources to reduce the acrylamide-forming potential of wheat, working with colleagues at the John Innes Centre and a consortium of companies and organisations from the wheat supply chain. Free asparagine concentration is the limiting factor for acrylamide formation in wheat products. There are significant differences between varieties with respect to asparagine accumulation in the grain and the genetic control of this trait is being investigated and modelled. Environmental factors (E) also have significant effects, on their own and in combination with varietal differences (G × E), and crop management is also important: Sulphur deficiency, for example, causes a massive accumulation of free asparagine in wheat grain and should be avoided. The study highlights the potential effects of abiotic stress and crop management on cereal grain composition and the implications this has for nutritional and processing quality, and food safety.

Biography:

A.A. Ivlev has completed his PhD at the age of 27 years from Chemical Technology University of D.I. Mendeleev. and got his 2-nd PhD from Institute of Chemical Physics of RAS. In 2005 he has discovered a link between carbon isotope distribution and temporal organization of cell processes and was awarded with medal “To Author of Scientific Discovery” by Russian Academy of Natural Sciences. Since 1995 he is Professor of Russian State Agrarian University of K,A. Timiryazev. He has published 66 papers in reputed journals and 4 monographs. The field of his scientific interests includes isotope fractionation in metabolism, photosynthesis, plant physiology, cell mechanisms, evolution, climatology.

Abstract:

The combination of actualism principle, recent findings on carbon isotope fractionation in photosynthesis with data on isotopic ratio of carbon in sedimentary rocks in form of carbonates and coeval organic matter allowed suggesting a new model of redox carbon cycle. the model claims that carbon turnover via biosphere and geospheres is a conversion of the element from the oxidized state to the reduced one, and back. the direct transfer is realized through photosynthesis, the reverse transfer occurs via numerous microbial and inorganic oxidation reactions in sediments. among them thermochemical sulfate reduction plays a dominant role. it proceeds in subduction zone where moving lithospheric plates collide and provide heat for sulfate reduction. co2 injections, which accompany the reaction, exert impact on photosynthesis development, causing irregular periodicity of photosynthesis and related processes, such as climatic cycles, changes in the rate of biodiversity, uneven stratigraphic distribution of organic matter in sediments, and oil fields stratigraphic distribution, sea level changes, etc. arguments supporting the validity of the model are given. the redox carbon cycle is a self-organizing system due to negative feedback between co2 assimilation and photorespiration in response to oxygen growth. it made carbon cycle shift to ecological compensation point. in this point the system become sensitive to separate plates’ collisions what results in short-term climatic oscillations.

Biography:

Rajinder Singh is currently a Principal Research Officer at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board. Rajinder has been with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board for the last 19 years. He holds a PhD in Plant Genetics and is currently the Head of Genomics Unit of the Advanced Biotechnology & Breeding Centre, at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). Rajinder has authored and co-authored more than 32 refereed publications

Abstract:

Systematic progress made via conventional breeding has allowed yield gains for oil palm, and made the oil palm industry commercially viable in South East Asia, particularly Malaysia and Indonesia. However, its long selection cycle and large land requirement for breeding trials has made subsequent progress slow and tedious. Genomics guided breeding is an attractive option to help this crop meet its true potential. However, the development of appropriate tools, such molecular marker systems and identification of markers and or gene(s) linked to traits of interest has been generally slow. The effort received a boost when its genome was sequenced in 2013 using a combination of 454/Roche technology and BAC end sequencing. The availability of the sequence assembly and a well-structured breeding programme allowed the identification of genes influencing two important monogenic traits, which was a major breakthrough for this perennial crop. The subsequent development of the first molecular diagnostic assay, the SureSawitTM Shell kit has allowed marker assisted selection (MAS) to be a reality for oil palm. Building on this success, the epigenome of oil palm was also unraveled in order to examine DNA methylation alterations in clonal palms. Deciphering of the epigenome and understanding the causes of clonal abnormality has also made large scale tissue culture of oil palm feasible.

Biography:

Arie Altman, Professor of Horticulture and Plant Biotechnology (Ret.), received his PhD from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is Founding Director of Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, and was President of the International Association of Plant Biotechnology, former Director of the Otto Warburg Center of Biotechnology in Agriculture, member of Israel National Committee for Biotechnology. His research interests include molecular control of plant response to drought and salinity, agricultural biotechnology, forest tree biotechnology and plant tissue culture. He published over 190 research publications and served as Editor of 5 biotechnology books. He is (past and present) Editor and Editorial Board member of Plant Physiology, Annual Review of Plant Biotechnology and Applied Genetics, In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology, Plant Cell Reports, and others. Prof Altman was Invited Professor and Scientist at: Amsterdam Free University, INRA Versailles and Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, Roche Institute of Molecular Biology, N.J., USA, Department of Biology, Yale University, USA, and others.

Abstract:

While plant agricultural biotechnologies have come to fruition due to the implementation of novel molecular marker-assisted crop breeding and genetic engineering, it is important to distinguish the achievements from several remaining R&D needs. At the genotype level, the use of genome mapping and omics markers became a routine in breeding of many agricultural plants. At the phenotype level, improved agricultural techniques are being developed, resulting in enhanced yields and quality traits. Future directions should solve the current major hurdles to agricultural biotechnology: (i) Bridging the genotype–phenotype gap by improving novel high-throughput quantitative and automated screening methods that focus on whole-plant physiology and quality traits. These will enhance the release of newly bred varieties to and avoid long-term and large-scale field studies; (ii) Bridging the genome-environment gap: desired plant traits, especially stress tolerance, depend on the interaction of many genes and metabolic pathways with changing environments, and enhanced adoption of translational research at all R&D stages should be developed; (iii) More attention should be given to epigenetic events that are evolutionarily most relevant to plant adaptation to changing environments; (iv) Improving the biotechnological procedures of novel biomaterial production; (v) Promoting transparent dialog between molecular biologists, plant physiologists, farmers, breeding companies, and the public to solve jointly the economic, sociological, legal, and ethical hurdles. We urge the adoption of a system-bio-agriculture integrated approach to achieve substantial progress in plant biotechnology and agriculture, thus transforming to target it for the Needs of the 21st Century.

Biography:

Doaa Elazab, corresponding author has completed her PhD from Assiut University in plant tissue culture and abiotic stress, and postdoctoral studies from McGill University, Plant science Dept., Canada, she got training on HPLC. She published many papers about plant tissue culture, plant molecular analysis and biotic and abiotic stress on fruit trees.

Abstract:

This current study investigated the influence of medium type and Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) concentration on artificial seed germination and growth in Zizyphus Spina-Christie (Napq tree), four types of media ((Murashigi and Skoog, Nitsch and Nitsch, Woody and Gamborg) and five concentrations of IAA (0.0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/l) were used. Data indicated that, IAA at 0.1 mg/l was found to be the best concentration to germinate the synthetic seeds by 86.67% germination; the second best one was 0.5 mg/l with 3.33% germination. MS medium was the best medium in shoot height (cm), leaves and nodes number and leaves dimensions (cm) compared to NN, WPM and B5 media. On the other hand, MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/L IAA were the best in germination and vegetative characteristics in synthetic seeds of Hozaien nabq.

Biography:

 Ambrose Okem has completed his PhD from University of KwaZulu-Natal and currently doing postdoctoral fellowship at Cape peninsula University of Technology in medicinal plant research. He has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as reviewer of reputed journals

Abstract:

The global demand for medicinal plant products has increased in the last two decades leading to overexploitation and sometimes extinction. Plant biotechnology is one of the efficient approach used to engineer the biosynthesis of essential and/or bioactive compounds in plants. This study was aimed to develop a micropropagation protocol for Agathosma betulina, one of the most highly utilized medicinal plant in South Africa as well as to enhance the biosynthesis of some bioactive compounds by manipulating media compositions. Seeds and leaf tissues from explant of A. betulina were decontaminated thereafter, subcultured on MS media adjusted with different concentration of BA, NAA, IBA and DAA. Regenerants with well-developed root system were acclimatized for five months. Dried samples from in vitro cultures and acclimatized plants were extracted using dichloromethane and analyzed for phytochemical compositions using GC-MS. An efficient decontamination protocol was developed for micropropagation of A. betulina. Over 80% seed germination was recorded using scarification technique. Leave tissue from explant grown on ½ MS media had significantly high shoot proliferation, shoot length and number of leaves compared to the other treatments. Phytochemical analysis revealed significantly higher amounts of various phytochemicals accumulated in the leaf compared to stem and callus/roots. The most abundant phytochemicals were recorded in media containing NAA 0.5 mL^-1 in the following order; limonene˃pulegone˃isomenthone (68, 39 and 33% respectively). In vitro cultures of A. betulina accumulated more phytochemicals compared to the acclimatized plant. Perhaps this could be that the phytohormones induced synthesis of certain compounds in in vitro culture. A. betulina possess a number of pharmacological properties including anticancer, antimicrobial and antioxidant. These activities are linked to inherent phytochemical contents. Hence, engineering the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds in A. betulina is an efficient means to meet the high demands for this plant.

Biography:

Ambrose Okem has completed his PhD from University of KwaZulu-Natal and currently doing postdoctoral fellowship at Cape peninsula University of Technology in medicinal plant research. He has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as reviewer of reputed journals.     

Abstract:

The global demand for medicinal plant products has increased in the last two decades leading to overexploitation and sometimes extinction. Plant biotechnology is one of the efficient approach used to engineer the biosynthesis of essential and/or bioactive compounds in plants. This study was aimed to develop a micropropagation protocol for Agathosma betulina, one of the most highly utilized medicinal plant in South Africa as well as to enhance the biosynthesis of some bioactive compounds by manipulating media compositions. Seeds and leaf tissues from explant of A. betulina were decontaminated thereafter, subcultured on MS media adjusted with different concentration of BA, NAA, IBA and DAA. Regenerants with well-developed root system were acclimatized for five months. Dried samples from in vitro cultures and acclimatized plants were extracted using dichloromethane and analyzed for phytochemical compositions using GC-MS. An efficient decontamination protocol was developed for micropropagation of A. betulina. Over 80% seed germination was recorded using scarification technique. Leave tissue from explant grown on ½ MS media had significantly high shoot proliferation, shoot length and number of leaves compared to the other treatments. Phytochemical analysis revealed significantly higher amounts of various phytochemicals accumulated in the leaf compared to stem and callus/roots. The most abundant phytochemicals were recorded in media containing NAA 0.5 mL^-1 in the following order; limonene˃pulegone˃isomenthone (68, 39 and 33% respectively). In vitro cultures of A. betulina accumulated more phytochemicals compared to the acclimatized plant. Perhaps this could be that the phytohormones induced synthesis of certain compounds in in vitro culture. A. betulina possess a number of pharmacological properties including anticancer, antimicrobial and antioxidant. These activities are linked to inherent phytochemical contents. Hence, engineering the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds in A. betulina is an efficient means to meet the high demands for this plant.

Biography:

B.P. Tripathi has completed his Ph.D. at the age of 50 years from the University of Philippines, Los, Banos, Philippines. He is the Senior Associate Scientist in the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines based in Nepal. He hs published more than 20 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of Nepalese Journals of Agriculture.

Abstract:

Rice is the principal food grain crop in Nepal followed by maize and wheat. The total area of Nepal is approximately 1.5 million ha with the average productivity of 3.2 t/ha producing  4.8 million tons of paddy rice. Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) is the sole public organization in Nepal that conducts rice research in the country.   Rice research in NARC is coordinated and implemented by National Rice Research Program (NRRP), Hardinath, Dhanusha District in coordination with Regional Agricultural Research Stations (RARS) and Central Disciplinary Divisions, Kathamandu.  Department of Agriculture (doA) under the Ministry of Agricultural development (MoAD) is responsible to disseminate rice technologies to farmers’ fields.Presently, the investment in rice research is very low in Nepal with less than 0.1% of the value of rice output being invested in rice research. Rice research program in NARC also receives less share of the agricultural research budget (only 4% of the total research budget) despite the vital share of rice output (20%) in national Agriculture Gross Domestic Product (AGDP). In the past five decades, rice production in Nepal increased nearly 2.2 times from 2.1 million tons in 1961-63 to 4.8 million tons in 2010-15.  During the same period, rice production grew at the rate of 1.8% per annum which was below the population growth rate of 2.3% per annum. As a result, the rice self sufficiency ratio declined significantly over time. In recent years, the rice self sufficiency ratio is below 100, which means domestic rice production is not sufficient to meet the domestic consumption.The production condition of cereals is also almost same to that of rice. The data for 2001-2008 shows that Nepal is the only South Asian country where the growth rate of cereal production trails behind the growth rate of population (Figure 5). Consequently Nepal’s domestic production has not been able to fulfill local demand and the country has been a net importer of cereals since the 1980s. Despite slow growth in cereals output, per capita availability of cereals in Nepal is second highest in South Asia due to the food imports especially across the open border with India. Even though Nepal has a relatively high per capita cereal supply, the low income levels is a constraint for adequate food consumption by a large section of the population (IFPRI, 2010).Irrigated rice accounts for 56% of the total rice area in Nepal. Thus, large rice production still occurs under rainfed condition. Based on the average per capita milled rice consumption of 122 kg per yea and total population of 27.6 million, the total demand for milled rice in Nepal is estimated at 3.37 million tons (5.04 million tons of paddy) in 2012. But the country produced only 2.97 million tons milled rice (4.50 million tons paddy). Assuming that only 80% of total harvest is available for human consumption, the total milled rice produced in the country available for consumption is only 2.38 million tons (3.60 million tons of paddy). This means the country has a shortfall of about 1 million tons of milled rice (1.5 million tons paddy).

In addition to the population growth, income growth also creates additional demand for rice. The current demand for rice may be low due to low levels of income. As income rises, the demand for rice can be expected to increase as rice substitutes for coarse grains that are currently being consumed. In addition, as the country marches towards improved governance, economic growth, and infrastructure development, the food habit likely to change in favor of rice which would increase rice demand. Infrastructure development particularly increased road access to remote hills and mountains will increase demand for rice substantially due to availability of rice in cheaper price.The following major constraints to rice production in Nepal are included: (a) land constraints, (b) large yield gaps, (c) inappropriate technologies especially in rainfed areas, (d)problems of product quality and timely delivery of inputs (e) limited access to new technology and inefficient technology transfer, and  (f) inadequate policy support. Therefore, the priority rice research and development agenda for Nepal, are discussed as: development and promotion of high yielding, stresses tolerant and better grain quality rice varieties, integrated crop and resource management for sustainable rice production, development and promotion of small-scale mechanization and post harvest technologies, socioeconomic and policy research to craft farmer-friendly policies, investment in rice research and extension, and capacity building in strategic frontier areas of rice research.

Biography:

Vivek L. Manekar is currently associate professor in civil engineering department at S.V.National Institute of Technology, Surat, India. He completed his masters and phd from VNIT, Nagpur. His broad area of research are soil weather modeling, sediment transportation and climate change impacts on water resources

Abstract:

Agro meteorological rice yield prediction models are developed in this paper for Surat district of Gujarat state, India.  Agro meteorological rice yield prediction models such as Agromet yield, agromet spectral yield and agromet spectral trend yield were developed by using multiple-linear regression analysis and on the basis of examination of coefficient of determination (R²), and relative deviation (RD) values, resulted from different agromet models, the best agromet subset was selected to develop agromet-spectral trend-yield model. Tmin, Tmax and HTU (Heliothermal Units), NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and TPY (Trend Predicted Yield) are the best agromet subset to incorporate in agromet spectral- trend-yield models.

Biography:

Deyou Ye has completed his PhD from College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University of China. He is the director of lab for Institute of Vegetables, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences. He has published more than 20 papers in reputed journals of China. At present, he is engaged in the research on root-knot nematodes in vegetables

Abstract:

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) cause serious threat to cucumber production throughout the world. Cucumis metuliferus, a relative of cucumber, is reported to be resistant to Meloidogyne incognita. However, the underlying resistance mechanism remains unclear. Here the response of resistant C. metuliferus strain CmR07 following the nematode infection was studied in comparison with susceptible C. sativus cv. Jinlv No.3. Roots of selected Cucumis seedings were analysed using histological and biochemical techniques. Transcriptome changes of the resistant reaction were investigated by RNA-seq. Our present results showed that penetration and development of the nematode in resistant plant were reduced when compared to susceptible plant. Infection of resistant genotype with M. incognita resulted in a hypersensitive reaction. The induction of phenylalanine ammonia lyase and peroxidase activities after infection was greater in resistant roots compared with the susceptible one. Several most relevant genes from the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction and plant-pathogen interaction pathway that are involved in resistance to the nematode were significantly altered. The resistance in CmR07 to M. incognita is associated with reduced nematode penetration, retardation of nematode development and hypersensitive necrosis. The expression of genes resulting in the deposition of lignin, toxic compounds synthesis, suppression of nematode feeding and resistance protein accumulation, and activation of several transcription factors, all which might contribute to the resistance response to the pest. These results would lead to a better understanding the resistance mechanism and aid in the identification of potential targets resistant to the pest for cucumber genetic improvement.

Biography:

Nitin Bharadiya is currently from S.V.National Institute of Technology, Surat,India. He did his B. Tech (Agri. Engg.) from Junagadh Agri. University and M. Tech in Civil Engineering (WRE) from S.V.National Institute of Technology, Surat.

Abstract:

Estimation of crop yield is a difficult task due to its dependency over many factors. Crop models are considered to be an important tool for gaining a theoretical understanding of a crop production system. It is considered that effective crop modeling must combine a scientific approach to increase understanding with an applications orientation to retain an attention on prediction and problem-solving. In practice Miami, Thornthwaite and many such models are available and widely used for prediction of crop yield. Agro-climatic Crop-yield modeling refers to a technique which can be used to scale the effect of climate on yields. A crop model makes our insights into the physiological and ecological processes that govern crop growth into mathematical equations. Here agro-climatic sugarcane yield model is developed using dimensional analysis approach in which it is tried to include most significant parameters from the climate, soil and agricultural domain which plays key role in its yield prediction. Developed Agro-climatic sugarcane yield model is different from the existing models due to consideration of above predominant parameters all together which made it more sensitive towards climatic changes. Estimated sugarcane yield using developed model is compared with the actual yield for its validation which shows good agreement. Also the statistical performance of the model shows its fitness. Model comparison with the established models shows better performance.

Biography:

Tianzhen Zhang, Professor of Genetics and Crop Breeding in Nanjing Agricultural University. He has completed his PhD at the age of 29 years from Nanjing Agricultural University and postdoctoral studies from Ruhr University at Bochum in Germany under the Marie-Curie Fellowship for Post-Doctoral Research. He is the directors of Cotton Hybrid R & D Engineering Center (the Ministry of Education) and Cotton Research Institute in NAU. He has published more than 150 papers in cotton genetics, genomics and molecular breeding in peer-reviewing reputed journals and co-authored 8 books, and has been serving as the Co-chair from 2011-2013 and Chair of Int Cotton Genome Initiate from 2013-2015, Int. Organizing Committee member for ICGI Research conference and editorial board member of PLoS ONE

Abstract:

Cotton is an important textile and oil crop throughout the world. The cotton species include two commercially important cultivated allotetraploid species, G. hirsutum L. and G. barbadense L., which have a genome size of 2.5 Gb and large numbers of repetitive sequences derived from an allopolyploidization event between G. herbaceum L. (A1) and G. raimondii (D5) Ulbrich approximately 1-2 million years ago. Upland cotton (G. hirsutum) is an ideal model for polyploid crop domestication and transgenic improvement. We sequenced the allotetraploid Gossypium hirsutum L. acc. TM-1 and G. barbadense L. cv. Xinhai 21 genomes by integrating whole-genome shotgun reads, bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-end sequences and ultra-dense inter-specific genetics genetic map. By comparing the A and D subgenomes, we revealed the asymmetric subgenomic evolution and domestication of allotetraploid cotton. More structural rearrangements were characterized in the A subgenome than in the D subgenome. The A subgenome have evolved faster than the D subgenome and the rich transposable elements make nearly twice the size difference between these two subgenomes. Consistent with asymmetric structural rearrangement and evolved rate, there were significantly more genes lost and disrupted in the A sugenome than in the D subgenome. On the contrary, the centromeric retro-element sequence of tetraploid cotton derived from the D subgenome progenitor have invade the A subgenome centromeres after allotetrapolyploid formation. Although no genome-wide expression dominance was found between the subgenomes, gene expression bias for homoeologous gene pairs is widespread, frequently 20-40% range, depending on the tissue. The asymmetric domestication is associated with positively selected genes for fiber yield and quality in the A subgenome and for stress tolerance in the D subgenome. Our studies provide valuable genomic resource for cotton research and benefit the understanding of the basis of many other allopolyploids in which two or more subgenomes retain sufficient divergence.

Biography:

Nwaiwu Juan Chinatu is a PhD holder and a lecturer in the department of agricultural economics, extension and rural development in Imo State University Owerri, Nigeria. She is a senior lecturer and teaches courses in diffusion of innovation, rural and community development, entrepreneurship, communication in extension among others. She has been lecturing for more than 19 years with a research interest on arable crop farmers and soil degradation. She has attended so many conferences both locally and internationally and ahs published more than 25 journals and has also attended so many training and workshop in the field of agriculture

Abstract:

Improved cassava varieties have been developed and disseminated to farmers in the study area but the yield of cassava have been limited by poor farming practices which has led to soil degradation. This study therefore analyse the farmers’ perceived effect of soil degradation on the yield of improved cassava varieties. 342 randomly selected farmers from 3 states that make up the south eastern zone where interviewed with a structured questionnaire. Data collected include; farming practices employed by the farmers, soil degradation experienced, perceived effect of soil degradation on yield of cassava. Also, the study hypothesized that the farming practices employed by farmers have no significant effect on soil degradation. The data obtained was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The result revealed that most of the farmers (96.2%) cleared and burnt their farmland before use, practiced complete tillage (88.3%) and makes use of pesticides (74.8%). The types of soil degradation observed by most of the farmers include; water erosion (88.8%), deforestation (83.3%), and wind erosion (83.2%). The grand mean of 2.55 as indicated by the likert type scale shows that farmers perceived that soil degradation affects the yields of cassava irrespective of the variety planted. The result of the probit multiple regression was significant at 5%, therefore the hypothesis was rejected. The study recommends among others, that the Nigerian government with the help of the research institutes should concentrate more on ways to conserve the degraded soil of the south east than carrying out research on more improved varieties as the degraded soil is affecting the yield of the improved varieties.

Biography:

Dr. Rose earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Manchester, UK, and then worked for a biotechnology company, before relocating to the USA. He was awarded a Ph.D. from the University of California Davis, and received his postdoctoral training at the University of Georgia. He accepted a faculty position in the Department of Plant Biology, Cornell University. Dr. Rose is also the Director of Cornell’s Institute of Biotechnology and Director of the New York State Center for Life Sciences Enterprise. He is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Abstract:

Most biochemical and molecular studies involving the extraction of transcripts or proteins from plant organs use a homogenized amalgam of tissues and cell types. This approach limits insights into cell specialization, and lower abundance molecules that are present only in certain cell types are often diluted below the level of detection. There is therefore a critical ‘information void’ when it comes to annotating and presenting gene expression data. We have been addressing this challenge in the context of understanding the entirety of gene expression during tomato fruit development, by coupling RNA-seq analysis with laser capture microdissection (LCM), which allows the precise isolation of individual fruit cells/tissue types. In addition to resolving gene expression down to the level of cell/ tissue type, this approach has enabled: (i) the identification of previously unannotated genes, demonstrating the value of LCM as a tool for gene discovery; (ii) inferences regarding gene functions, based on the patterns of tissue- or cell type-related expression. We have also been developing computed tomography as a non-invasive imaging tool to create a 3D ‘virtual tomato’, which includes internal structures, to provide digital a scaffold upon which to present transcriptome, or other ‘omics’ data sets as a 4D display. All data will be publicly accessible in a new database, the Tomato Expression Atlas. This database includes a novel user interface with a correlation matrix that reveals patterns of co-expressed genes at an unprecedented level of spatiotemporal resolution, thereby optimizing the identification of functionally related suites of genes.

Biography:

Gunnar Wingsle has completed his PhD at the age of 34 years from Department of Forest Genetics & Plant Physiology. He has published more than 60 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as a PI of the proteomic masspectrometry facility at Chemical Biological Centre at Umeå University and SLU since 2000

Abstract:

Wood development is of outstanding interest for both the basic research and industry due to the associated cellulose and lignin biomass production. Efforts to elucidate wood formation (which is essential for numerous aspects of both pure and applied plant science) have mostly been made using different -omic analyses from low resolution samples. In our studies we analyzed the global protein expression in different cell types originating from phloem, cambium and xylem in wood from Populus. However, we have also to a minor degree; used spruce has a model system. These cell types represent distinct developmental stages and, therefore, could help to explain cellular mechanisms of developmental processes such as xylogenesis and the phenomenon of wood formation. To additionally add information of wood related developmental questions we have applied different stress conditions as gravitational stress, resulting in tension wood, and oxidative stress caused by antisense-transgenic plants of an isoform of superoxide dismutase (hiPI-SOD). Data from multiple platforms including transcriptomics (microarray analysis), proteomics (UPLC/QTOF-MS), and metabolomics (GC-TOF/MS, UPLC/MS, and UHPLC-LTQ/MS) were integrated using recent development of orthogonal projections to latent structures called OnPLS. Furthermore, global and targeted proteomic studies have been done of whole cell extracts and subcellular fractions to give a more specific and sensitive analysis of wood development proteins, such as cellulose synthase proteins (CES).

Biography:

Robert L. Brown completed his PhD in Plant Pathology from Rutgers University and postdoctoral studies from Southern Regional Research Center (SRRC), USDA-ARS in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is employed as a research plant pathologist in the Food and Feed Safety Research Unit at SRRC and also holds appointments as Adjunct Associate Professor at both Louisiana State University and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. He is an editorial board member for several journals and has published over 110 research, review and proceedings papers, and book chapters, and over 160 abstracts.

Abstract:

Aflatoxin are secondary metabolites produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus that can contaminate maize, and cause toxic and carcinogenic effects in higher organisms that consume the contaminated commodities. Therefore, aflatoxin contamination of maize is a serious food safety problem that affects the competitiveness of agricultural production in both domestic and export markets. Post-harvest management of these toxins is only marginally effective. Therefore, pre-harvest control of aflatoxin contamination, especially through host resistance, is a desirable goal. A research collaboration between the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria and the USDA-ARS in New Orleans developed six aflatoxin-resistant maize inbreds that are currently being used by national programs in Africa and which have demonstrated resistance in U.S. environments. To investigate the mechanisms responsible for resistance and identify breeding markers for commercial development of these lines several studies have been undertaken. Implicated in resistance is marked accumulation of constitutive proteins. Comparative proteomics identified constitutive resistance-associated proteins (RAPs) belonging to either antifungal, stress-related or storage categories. The potential of selected RAPs as resistance genes was further highlighted in characterization studies. The importance of constitutive accumulation of resistance factors was also supported by a microarray investigation of two closely-related maize lines varying in aflatoxin accumulation and demonstrating a ten-fold difference in the number of induced genes between the resistant and susceptible genotype. To discover target genes for enhancing resistance in maize, RNA-Seq is being employed to investigate gene expressionnetwork differences in defense response between resistant and susceptible kernels.

Biography:

A.A. Ivlev has completed his PhD at the age of 27 years from Chemical Technology University of D.I. Mendeleev. and got his 2-nd PhD from Institute of Chemical Physics of RAS. In 2005 he has discovered a link between carbon isotope distribution and temporal organization of cell processes and was awarded with medal “To Author of Scientific Discovery” by Russian Academy of Natural Sciences. Since 1995 he is Professor of Russian State Agrarian University of K,A. Timiryazev. He has published 66 papers in reputed journals and 4 monographs. The field of his scientific interests includes isotope fractionation in metabolism, photosynthesis, plant physiology, cell mechanisms, evolution, climatology.

Abstract:

The combination of actualism principle, recent findings on carbon isotope fractionation in photosynthesis with data on isotopic ratio of carbon in sedimentary rocks in form of carbonates and coeval organic matter allowed suggesting a new model of redox carbon cycle. the model claims that carbon turnover via biosphere and geospheres is a conversion of the element from the oxidized state to the reduced one, and back. the direct transfer is realized through photosynthesis, the reverse transfer occurs via numerous microbial and inorganic oxidation reactions in sediments. among them thermochemical sulfate reduction plays a dominant role. it proceeds in subduction zone where moving lithospheric plates collide and provide heat for sulfate reduction. co2 injections, which accompany the reaction, exert impact on photosynthesis development, causing irregular periodicity of photosynthesis and related processes, such as climatic cycles, changes in the rate of biodiversity, uneven stratigraphic distribution of organic matter in sediments, and oil fields stratigraphic distribution, sea level changes, etc. arguments supporting the validity of the model are given. the redox carbon cycle is a self-organizing system due to negative feedback between co2 assimilation and photorespiration in response to oxygen growth. it made carbon cycle shift to ecological compensation point. in this point the system become sensitive to separate plates’ collisions what results in short-term climatic oscillations.

Biography:

Kevin Yueju Wang has completed his PhD in 2004 from at the Oregon State University, USA. He had postdoctoral experiences from the University of California at Berkley and the University of Texas at Austin. He was appointed as an tenured Associate Professor in Molecular Biology at the Northeastern State University in August 2015. He has a broad background in plant molecular biology and biotechnology, with specific training and expertise in expression of genes in plants to produce therapeutic proteins that are active, safe and inexpensive.

Abstract:

Stroke has remained the top major killer worldwide. It is also the leading cause of adult disability. Recombinant human tissue plasminogen (rt-PA) is the only FDA-approved treatment for acute ischemic stroke. The yields of rt-PA protein produced from CHO cells, however, are, at present, relatively low while the cost of production is high. It often causes side effects which may lead to disability and death. Vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) salivary plasminogen activators (DSPA1) have been found to be both more active than t-PA and to have fewer side effects. In this study, both DSPA1 and t-PA were targeted in tobacco seed under seed-specific promoter (phas) to minimize protein degradation. Both t-PA and DSPA1 were codon-optimized for tobacco plant usage to increase foreign protein expression level. 6xHis tag was fused to C-terminal for recombinant protein purification. The ER signal peptide sequence, KDEL, will be used to accumulate recombinant proteins to the ER. The geminivirus-based single DNA replicon system (pBY was used to rapidly produce t-PA and DSPA1, respectively in tobacco leaf. Studies showed that recombinant proteins caused leaf tissue death. Seed-derived proteins can dissolve fibrin and human blood clots. Our study demonstrated that seed-based system can rapidly produce functional recombinant t-PA and DSPA1 for stroke patient treatment. This work was supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health (8P20GM103447) and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes (1R03NS095246-01).

Biography:

Somika Bhatnagar has completed her PhD in 2003 from University of Delhi, South Campus, India and postdoctoral research at Temasek Life Sciences Laboratories, Singapore. She is currently HEAD of PLANT TRANSFORMATION and TISSUE CULTURE at Temasek Life Sciences Laboratories, Singapore. Her research work has been patented and published in many peer reviewed journals. It has also led to a spin-off company (Bioforest Private Limited, Singapore). Her interests include translational plant research areas like biotech crop development, forestry biotechnology, herbal medicine with special focus on conservation and large scale sustainable production of useful compounds both in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract:

Plants have been historically used as a renewable source for bioactive compounds in traditional therapeutic regimens such as Ayurveda in India and Traditional Chinese Medicine. With the increase in population, globalization and economic development, there is also persistent demand for natural products including secondary metabolites which are economically important as drugs, flavor and fragrances, dye and pigments, pesticides, and food additives. Supply of these compounds from natural bio resources proves to be a challenge because of depleting natural plant populations, low yields, slow rate and seasonal variability in accumulation of desirable compounds. Natural compounds are difficult to produce through chemical synthesis due to their complex structures and high cost of production. Plant biotechnology has shown potential as an alternative way for production of bioactive compounds in in vitro systems independent of climate, soil and plant growth conditions. We have developed callus, shoot and hairy root culture systems for seven plant species. Bioactive compounds belonging to sesquiterpenes, phenyethyl chromone derivatives, flavanoids and fatty acids groups are identified using GC-MS analysis. Addition of abiotic and biotic elicitors to the culture medium enhanced production of these secondary metabolites. Some compounds from these plants of interest are Aquilaria crassna (Guai 1(10),11-diene, beta-Eudesmol, Humulene), Melia dubia (Aromandendrene, Germacrene, Copaene), Syzygium aromaticum (Eugenol which can further be converted to Vanillin), Morus indica (Megastigmane), Artemisia pallen (Devanone), Pelargonium citrosum (Geraniol, Linalol, Citronella) and Phlegmariurus phlegmaria (Huperzine A). Efforts are underway towards commercial scale production of these compounds, elucidation of biosynthetic pathways and characterization of genes involved in secondary metabolite production.

Biography:

Dr. Teresa Hernández Sotomayor undertook her undergraduate, master's and doctorate studies at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). She joined the Scientific Research Centre of Yucatán (CICY) in July 1993. Dr. Hernádez's research has focused on the study of the mechanisms of signal transduction in plant cells. She has written over 80 international articles. Dr. Hernández's work has been cited by authors over 1,500 times. Her current research is the study of the basic mechanisms of signal transduction which is fundamental to solving problems such as for many pests and diseases that limit the performance of important cultivars such as rice, sorghum and wheat. The work of Dr. Hernandez in this aspect is important for Mexico's Southeast region.

Abstract:

Aluminium (Al) is the most abundant metal on Earth’s crust (7% of the all elements). Toxicity due to this metal is widely documented in tropical acid mineral soils and is the major factor limiting over the productivity of crop species. Coffee is one of the most important crops economically worldwide. This crop grows on acid soils where the availability of Al is greater; therefore coffee yield is limited by the toxic effects of this element. We have developed a biological model in which suspension cells of Coffea arabica have been used. We found that aluminium toxicity affect the activity of different enzymes involved in the metabolism of phosphoinositides and other members of the signal transduction pathway associated to them. We also are looking for the effect of salicylic acid and the mechanism of protection in aluminium toxicity on this signal transduction mechanism. An overview of the latest results will be presented.

Biography:

Dr Chaturvedi, Professor of Plant Biotechnology at BSBE Department, is the Associate Dean of Alumni & External Relations. She was Vice-Chairperson of All India examinations of Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) and Joint Admission Test for M.Sc. (JAM) 2013, Chairperson GATE-JAM 2014, Chairperson GATE-2015 and Organizing Chairperson JAM-2015 examinations.

Her research area is 'Plant Tissue Culture & Metabolite Production'. She received ‘Prof Y.S. Murty Gold Medal-2011’ by Indian Botanical Society (IBS) and member of National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) and Society for In vitro Biology (SIVB), USA. She is Associate Editor of “In Vitro - Plant” of Springer.

Abstract:

The unique capacity of plant cells has found many applications in plant improvement, propagation, conservation and in other basic & applied plant sciences. The tissue culture technique would not only surmount the limitations of vegetative propagation but also can hasten the production of clonal material for field planting. It offers many advantages over the conventional methods of vegetative propagation: (1) The rate of multiplication is extremely rapid and can continue round the year, independent of the season. Thus, over a million plants can be produced in a year starting from a small piece of tissue. (2) The enhanced rate of multiplication can considerably reduce the period between the selection of plus trees and raising enough planting material for field trials.

The other application of tissue culture is the production of haploid plants which are extremely valuable in plant breeding and genetics. As with haploids, homozygosity can be achieved in a single step otherwise obtaining homozygous lines of woody perennials by the conventional method of recurrent inbreeding is impractical and time consuming because of highly heterozygous nature and long generation cycle of these plants as well as inherent inbreeding depression. The technique can further be used to produce bioactive metabolites in bulk irrespective of seasons and regions. To channelize the output obtained on laboratory scale more efforts are required in right direction to make the results more viable and of use to the general public.

Biography:

Doaa Elazab, corresponding author has completed her PhD from Assiut University in plant tissue culture and abiotic stress, and postdoctoral studies from McGill University, Plant science Dept., Canada, she got training on HPLC. She published many papers about plant tissue culture, plant molecular analysis and biotic and abiotic stress on fruit trees

Abstract:

This current study investigated the influence of medium type and Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) concentration on artificial seed germination and growth in Zizyphus Spina-Christie (Napq tree), four types of media ((Murashigi and Skoog, Nitsch and Nitsch, Woody and Gamborg) and five concentrations of IAA (0.0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/l) were used. Data indicated that, IAA at 0.1 mg/l was found to be the best concentration to germinate the synthetic seeds by 86.67% germination; the second best one was 0.5 mg/l with 3.33% germination. MS medium was the best medium in shoot height (cm), leaves and nodes number and leaves dimensions (cm) compared to NN, WPM and B5 media. On the other hand, MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/L IAA were the best in germination and vegetative characteristics in synthetic seeds of Hozaien nabq.

Biography:

Caroline Janitz is a Manager of the Next-Generation Sequencing Facility at Western Sydney University, Australia. Along with supervising her team, she is responsible for both the development and implementation of technological improvements in the NGS pipeline. She has completed her PhD in Molecular Genetics from the Freie Universität Berlin, Germany, under the supervision of Prof. Hans Lehrach, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin. Her PhD thesis focused on “An investigation of the molecular mechanism of renal damage in the course of rat hypertension using laser micro dissection and Affymetrix gene expression profiling”.

Abstract:

The strand-specific RNA-Seq has been broadly utilized for comprehensive transcriptome surveys, including transcripts orientation and information, which is inaccessible when using conventional RNA-Seq. To retain the strand-specificity, it is highly recommended to remove genomic DNA from the RNA template. Despite current availability of improved DNase treatment protocols, removal of genomic DNA remains a technical challenge. This step in sample preparation is particularly difficult when dealing with samples with extremely low RNA concentrations. Moreover, DNase digestion demands additional purification step, which leads to loss of up to 30% of RNA template. Therefore a question arises whether an additional step of genomic DNA removal is essential. In order to address the impact of genomic DNA contamination on strand-specificity resolution, we used a tobacco model N. benthamiana that was depleted in ribonuclease J and essential for chloroplast RNA surveillance. Depletion of this RNase J results in massive accumulation of chloroplast antisense RNA. In this talk, I am going to present results of our analysis of changes in expression levels of reference sense and anti-sense transcripts in relation to degree of the RNA sample contamination with genomic DNA.

Biography:

Synan F AbuQamar completed his PhD from Purdue University in Department of Botany & Plant Pathology in 2007 and Post-doctoral studies at the same university in the area of Molecular Genetics of Plant Immunity. In August 2008, he joined the Department of Biology at the United Arab Emirates University as an Assistant Professor. Currently, he is an Associate Professor at Arab Emirates University. His current research interest is in the area of Plant Molecular Genetics/Plant Biotechnology. He is co-author of number of publications in peer-reviewed international journals and serves as an Editorial Board Member in reputed journals.

Abstract:

Transcriptional reprogramming forms a major part of a plant’s response to environmental stress. We investigated the effects of combinations of biotic and abiotic stresses on the transcriptome level of Arabidopsis genome using comparative microarrays. We showed a unique program of gene expression was activated in response to each biotic and abiotic stress. In addition, abiotic stress-induced genes were commonly regulated with Botrytis cinerea infection. The Arabidopsis cell wall expansin-like A2 (EXLA2) gene was identified based on its down-regulation in response to infection by the necrotrophic pathogen B. cinerea, and on the reduced susceptibility of its mutants to the same pathogen. The exla2 mutants also enhanced tolerance to the phytoprostane-A₁ (PPA₁). Our results suggest that the absence or down-regulation of EXLA2 leads to increased resistance to B. cinerea in a COI1-dependent manner, and this down-regulation can be achieved by PPA₁ treatment. The EXLA2 is significantly induced by salinity and cold, and exogenous application of abscisic acid (ABA). The exla2 mutant also showed hypersensitivity towards increased salt and cold, and this hypersensitivity required a functional ABA pathway. Overall, EXLA2 appears to be important in response to environmental stress, particularly in the pathogenesis of necrotrophic pathogens and tolerance to abiotic stress. Future directions to further analyze the functions of commonly expressed genes in response to environmental stress will increase our understanding of the plant stress response.

Biography:

Sedigheh Esmaeilzadeh Bahabadi has completed his PhD at the age of 29 years from Tarbiat Modares University, Iran and was researcher at SUNBOR Institute, Japan and Göttingen University, Germany. She is Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, University of Zabol, Iran. She is published more than 10 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as a reviewer of international journals.

Abstract:

Pharmaceutically significant secondary metabolites include alkaloids, lignans, glycosides, flavonoids, volatile oils, etc. Currently, most of these secondary metabolites are isolated from wild or cultivated plants because their chemical synthesis is either extremely difficult or economically infeasible. Plant in vitro cultures represent an renewable source of valuable medicinal compounds and cost-effective alternative to classical approaches to plant secondary metabolite production. Numerous strategies have been developed to improve the productivity of plant culture such as medium optimization, precursor addition, elicitation, genetic transformation, metabolic engineering

Elicitation is a good strategy to induce physiological changes and stimulate defense or stress-induced. Traditionally, elicitors have been classified in two types, abiotic or biotic, according to their chemical nature and exogenous or endogenous origin. Here, we summarize the enhancing effects of elicitors on the production of bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, lignans, volatile oils, focusing particularly on the use of biotic elicitors, salicylic acid and nitric oxide. Understanding how plant tissues and their specific secondary metabolic pathways respond to specific treatments with elicitors would be the basis for designing protocols to enhance the production of secondary metabolites, in order to produce quality and healthy fresh foods.

Biography:

B.P. Tripathi has completed his Ph.D. at the age of 50 years from the University of Philippines, Los, Banos, Philippines. He is the Senior Associate Scientist in the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines based in Nepal. He hs published more than 20 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of Nepalese Journals of Agriculture.

Abstract:

Rice is the principal food grain crop in Nepal followed by maize and wheat. The total area of Nepal is approximately 1.5 million ha with the average productivity of 3.2 t/ha producing  4.8 million tons of paddy rice. Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) is the sole public organization in Nepal that conducts rice research in the country.   Rice research in NARC is coordinated and implemented by National Rice Research Program (NRRP), Hardinath, Dhanusha District in coordination with Regional Agricultural Research Stations (RARS) and Central Disciplinary Divisions, Kathamandu.  Department of Agriculture (doA) under the Ministry of Agricultural development (MoAD) is responsible to disseminate rice technologies to farmers’ fields.

Presently, the investment in rice research is very low in Nepal with less than 0.1% of the value of rice output being invested in rice research. Rice research program in NARC also receives less share of the agricultural research budget (only 4% of the total research budget) despite the vital share of rice output (20%) in national Agriculture Gross Domestic Product (AGDP). In the past five decades, rice production in Nepal increased nearly 2.2 times from 2.1 million tons in 1961-63 to 4.8 million tons in 2010-15.  During the same period, rice production grew at the rate of 1.8% per annum which was below the population growth rate of 2.3% per annum. As a result, the rice self sufficiency ratio declined significantly over time. In recent years, the rice self sufficiency ratio is below 100, which means domestic rice production is not sufficient to meet the domestic consumption.

The production condition of cereals is also almost same to that of rice. The data for 2001-2008 shows that Nepal is the only South Asian country where the growth rate of cereal production trails behind the growth rate of population (Figure 5). Consequently Nepal’s domestic production has not been able to fulfill local demand and the country has been a net importer of cereals since the 1980s. Despite slow growth in cereals output, per capita availability of cereals in Nepal is second highest in South Asia due to the food imports especially across the open border with India. Even though Nepal has a relatively high per capita cereal supply, the low income levels is a constraint for adequate food consumption by a large section of the population (IFPRI, 2010).

Irrigated rice accounts for 56% of the total rice area in Nepal. Thus, large rice production still occurs under rainfed condition. Based on the average per capita milled rice consumption of 122 kg per yea and total population of 27.6 million, the total demand for milled rice in Nepal is estimated at 3.37 million tons (5.04 million tons of paddy) in 2012. But the country produced only 2.97 million tons milled rice (4.50 million tons paddy). Assuming that only 80% of total harvest is available for human consumption, the total milled rice produced in the country available for consumption is only 2.38 million tons (3.60 million tons of paddy). This means the country has a shortfall of about 1 million tons of milled rice (1.5 million tons paddy).

In addition to the population growth, income growth also creates additional demand for rice. The current demand for rice may be low due to low levels of income. As income rises, the demand for rice can be expected to increase as rice substitutes for coarse grains that are currently being consumed. In addition, as the country marches towards improved governance, economic growth, and infrastructure development, the food habit likely to change in favor of rice which would increase rice demand. Infrastructure development particularly increased road access to remote hills and mountains will increase demand for rice substantially due to availability of rice in cheaper price.

The following major constraints to rice production in Nepal are included: (a) land constraints, (b) large yield gaps, (c) inappropriate technologies especially in rainfed areas, (d)problems of product quality and timely delivery of inputs (e) limited access to new technology and inefficient technology transfer, and  (f) inadequate policy support. Therefore, the priority rice research and development agenda for Nepal, are discussed as: development and promotion of high yielding, stresses tolerant and better grain quality rice varieties, integrated crop and resource management for sustainable rice production, development and promotion of small-scale mechanization and post harvest technologies, socioeconomic and policy research to craft farmer-friendly policies, investment in rice research and extension, and capacity building in strategic frontier areas of rice research.

Biography:

Robert L. Brown completed his PhD in Plant Pathology from Rutgers University and postdoctoral studies from Southern Regional Research Center (SRRC), USDA-ARS in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is employed as a research plant pathologist in the Food and Feed Safety Research Unit at SRRC and also holds appointments as Adjunct Associate Professor at both Louisiana State University and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. He is an editorial board member for several journals and has published over 110 research, review and proceedings papers, and book chapters, and over 160 abstracts.

Abstract:

Aflatoxin are secondary metabolites produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus that can contaminate maize, and cause toxic and carcinogenic effects in higher organisms that consume the contaminated commodities. Therefore, aflatoxin contamination of maize is a serious food safety problem that affects the competitiveness of agricultural production in both domestic and export markets. Post-harvest management of these toxins is only marginally effective. Therefore, pre-harvest control of aflatoxin contamination, especially through host resistance, is a desirable goal. A research collaboration between the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria and the USDA-ARS in New Orleans developed six aflatoxin-resistant maize inbreds that are currently being used by national programs in Africa and which have demonstrated resistance in U.S. environments. To investigate the mechanisms responsible for resistance and identify breeding markers for commercial development of these lines several studies have been undertaken. Implicated in resistance is marked accumulation of constitutive proteins. Comparative proteomics identified constitutive resistance-associated proteins (RAPs) belonging to either antifungal, stress-related or storage categories. The potential of selected RAPs as resistance genes was further highlighted in characterization studies. The importance of constitutive accumulation of resistance factors was also supported by a microarray investigation of two closely-related maize lines varying in aflatoxin accumulation and demonstrating a ten-fold difference in the number of induced genes between the resistant and susceptible genotype. To discover target genes for enhancing resistance in maize, RNA-Seq is being employed to investigate gene expression network differences in defense response between resistant and susceptible kernels.

Biography:

Synan F AbuQamar completed his PhD from Purdue University in Department of Botany & Plant Pathology in 2007 and Post-doctoral studies at the same university in the area of Molecular Genetics of Plant Immunity. In August 2008, he joined the Department of Biology at the United Arab Emirates University as an Assistant Professor. Currently, he is an Associate Professor at Arab Emirates University. His current research interest is in the area of Plant Molecular Genetics/Plant Biotechnology. He is co-author of number of publications in peer-reviewed international journals and serves as an Editorial Board Member in reputed journals.

Abstract:

Transcriptional reprogramming forms a major part of a plant’s response to environmental stress. We investigated the effects of combinations of biotic and abiotic stresses on the transcriptome level of Arabidopsis genome using comparative microarrays. We showed a unique program of gene expression was activated in response to each biotic and abiotic stress. In addition, abiotic stress-induced genes were commonly regulated with Botrytis cinerea infection. The Arabidopsis cell wall expansin-like A2 (EXLA2) gene was identified based on its down-regulation in response to infection by the necrotrophic pathogen B. cinerea, and on the reduced susceptibility of its mutants to the same pathogen. The exla2 mutants also enhanced tolerance to the phytoprostane-A₁ (PPA₁). Our results suggest that the absence or down-regulation of EXLA2 leads to increased resistance to B. cinerea in a COI1-dependent manner, and this down-regulation can be achieved by PPA₁ treatment. The EXLA2 is significantly induced by salinity and cold, and exogenous application of abscisic acid (ABA). The exla2 mutant also showed hypersensitivity towards increased salt and cold, and this hypersensitivity required a functional ABA pathway. Overall, EXLA2 appears to be important in response to environmental stress, particularly in the pathogenesis of necrotrophic pathogens and tolerance to abiotic stress. Future directions to further analyze the functions of commonly expressed genes in response to environmental stress will increase our understanding of the plant stress response.

Biography:

Robert L. Brown completed his PhD in Plant Pathology from Rutgers University and postdoctoral studies from Southern Regional Research Center (SRRC), USDA-ARS in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is employed as a research plant pathologist in the Food and Feed Safety Research Unit at SRRC and also holds appointments as Adjunct Associate Professor at both Louisiana State University and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. He is an editorial board member for several journals and has published over 110 research, review and proceedings papers, and book chapters, and over 160 abstracts.

Abstract:

Aflatoxin are secondary metabolites produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus that can contaminate maize, and cause toxic and carcinogenic effects in higher organisms that consume the contaminated commodities. Therefore, aflatoxin contamination of maize is a serious food safety problem that affects the competitiveness of agricultural production in both domestic and export markets. Post-harvest management of these toxins is only marginally effective. Therefore, pre-harvest control of aflatoxin contamination, especially through host resistance, is a desirable goal. A research collaboration between the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria and the USDA-ARS in New Orleans developed six aflatoxin-resistant maize inbreds that are currently being used by national programs in Africa and which have demonstrated resistance in U.S. environments. To investigate the mechanisms responsible for resistance and identify breeding markers for commercial development of these lines several studies have been undertaken. Implicated in resistance is marked accumulation of constitutive proteins. Comparative proteomics identified constitutive resistance-associated proteins (RAPs) belonging to either antifungal, stress-related or storage categories. The potential of selected RAPs as resistance genes was further highlighted in characterization studies. The importance of constitutive accumulation of resistance factors was also supported by a microarray investigation of two closely-related maize lines varying in aflatoxin accumulation and demonstrating a ten-fold difference in the number of induced genes between the resistant and susceptible genotype. To discover target genes for enhancing resistance in maize, RNA-Seq is being employed to investigate gene expression network differences in defense response between resistant and susceptible kernels.

Biography:

E.C. McGawley joined the faculty in the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center in 1978. His research includes the study of nematode disease complexes, variation in reproduction and pathogenicity of nematode populations and development of environmentally responsible nematicides. He has produced 14 Ph.D. and 6 M.S. students, authored 143 scholarly publications, secured $2.4M in grant funds, and received a Fulbright Fellowship in 1997. Dr. McGawley has served as a member of the Society of Nematologists Executive Board, the Education Committee, the Ecology Committee, the Biological Control Committee, the Membership Committee, was Editor of the Nematology Newsletter and received the 2013 Outstanding Teaching Award. He has also served as Editor-in-Chief of the journal Nematropica.

Abstract:

Plant parasitic nematodes (PPN) are integral and diverse components of agricultural ecosystems. Approximately 4,000 species in 125 genera are worldwide in distribution and account for annual losses of 115 billion U.S. dollars (FAO, 2014). Globally, PPN species in the genera Meloidogyne, Heterodera/Globodera and Rotylenchulus are the most damaging. Fortunately, except in the case of reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis, Rr), the availability of resistant crop cultivars provides producers with a management tool to help protect against endemic populations. Despite 15 years of research, breeders and nematologists have had minimal success in identifying sources of germplasm effective against Rr. There are a few commercial cultivars of soybean with tolerance to this nematode and no cotton cultivars with either tolerance or resistance. The most severe yield losses to reniform nematode are observed in the states of Louisiana, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, and Tennessee. Depending upon the level of infestation, cultivars grown, and environmental conditions, yield losses caused by this nematode be as high as 40%. In 2010 and 2011, research with this nematode conducted in the McGawley lab of the Agricultural center of Louisiana State University demonstrated for the first time that there are definable virulence phenotypes among populations of Rr within the state of Louisiana as well as across the southern United States (Nematropica 40:275-288 and 41:12-22). Current research is directed at the development of an abbreviated host differential assay using soilless plant growth pouches and molecular techniques such as single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP’s) and DNA sequence analysis to differentiate among endemic populations of Rr.

Biography:

Dr. Synan AbuQamar completed his Ph.D from Purdue University/Department of Botany & Plant Pathology in 2007 and his postdoctoral studies in the same university in the area of Molecular Genetics of Plant Immunity. In August 2008, Dr. AbuQamar joined the Department of Biology at the United Arab Emirates University as an Assistant Professor. Currently, he is an Associate Professor. Dr. AbuQamar's current research interest is in the area of Plant Molecular Genetics/Plant Biotechnology. He co-authors a number of publications in peer-reviewed international journals and serves as an editorial board member in reputed journals.

Abstract:

Transcriptional reprogramming forms a major part of a plant’s response to environmental stress. We investigated the effects of combinations of biotic and abiotic stresses on the transcriptome level of Arabidopsis genome using comparative microarrays. We showed a unique program of gene expression was activated in response to each biotic and abiotic stress. In addition, abiotic stress-induced genes were commonly regulated with Botrytis cinerea infection. The Arabidopsis cell wall expansin-like A2 (EXLA2) gene was identified based on its down-regulation in response to infection by the necrotrophic pathogen B. cinerea, and on the reduced susceptibility of its mutants to the same pathogen. The exla2 mutants also enhanced tolerance to the phytoprostane-A1 (PPA1). Our results suggest that the absence or down-regulation of EXLA2 leads to increased resistance to B. cinerea in a COI1-dependent manner, and this down-regulation can be achieved by PPA1 treatment. The EXLA2 is significantly induced by salinity and cold, and exogenous application of Abscisic acid (ABA). The exla2 mutant also showed hypersensitivity towards increased salt and cold, and this hypersensitivity required a functional ABA pathway. Overall, EXLA2 appears to be important in response to environmental stress, particularly in the pathogenesis of necrotrophic pathogens and tolerance to abiotic stress. Future directions to further analyze the functions of commonly expressed genes in response to environmental stress will increase our understanding of the plant stress response.

Biography:

Dr. Caroline Janitz is the manager of the Next-Generation Sequencing Facility at Western Sydney University, Australia. Along with supervising her team, Caroline is responsible for both the development and implementation of technological improvements in the NGS pipeline. Caroline acquired her PhD in molecular genetics from the Freie Universität Berlin, Germany, under the supervision of Prof. Hans Lehrach, the Director of the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin. Her PhD thesis focused on an investigation of the molecular mechanism of renal damage in the course of rat hypertension using laser microdissection and Affymetrix gene expression profiling.

Abstract:

The strand-specific RNA-Seq has been broadly utilized for comprehensive transcriptome surveys, including transcripts orientation; information, which is inaccessible when using conventional RNA-Seq. To retain the strand-specificity, it is highly recommended to remove genomic DNA from the RNA template. Despite current availability of improved DNase treatment protocols, removal of genomic DNA remains a technical challenge. This step in sample preparation is particular difficult when dealing with samples with extremely low RNA concentrations. Moreover, DNase digestion demands additional purification step, which leads to loss of up to 30% of RNA template. Therefore a question arises whether an additional step of genomic DNA removal is essential. In order to address the impact of genomic DNA contamination on strand-specificity resolution we used a tobacco model N.benthamiana that was depleted in ribonuclease J that is essential for chloroplast RNA surveillance. Depletion of this RNase J results in massive accumulation of chloroplast antisense RNA. In this talk I am going to present results of our analysis of changes in expression levels of reference sense and anti-sense transcripts in relation to degree of the RNA sample contamination with genomic DNA.

Biography:

I was born in Sri Lanka. I did my Bsc and Msc studies at the University of Copenhagen (Denmark), before starting a PhD at the Plant Biochemistry laboratory at University of Copenhagen, under supervision of Professor Birger Lindberg Møller. During my PhD identified and characterized one of the main enzymes involved in the vanillin biosynthesis in vanilla (Vanilla planifolia), work which led to multiple publications and a patent. I am currently a Postdoc at the Plant Biochemistry laboratory, leading the Vanilla project. Today, my research is primarily focused on discovery, elucidation and bioengineering of plant high-value compounds. Particularly I’ve focused on vanillin, the main flavor component in the World’s favorite flavor; Vanilla. Though this work, I was able to contribute the exact knowledge of how the vanilla orchid produces vanillin, a result that had escaped scientists for decades. Currently, my work is focused on establishing an exclusive vanilla orchid vanillin-production in yeast and other microorganisms. Further, I aim to contribute to the discovery of a better alternative to Vanilla planifolia with African origin for sustainable vanilla farming in Uganda.

Abstract:

Vanilla and its key flavour component vanillin, is a universally appreciated flavour, a global delicacy and probably the most popular plant natural product, being derived from the seedpods of the orchid Vanilla planifolia and other related Vanilla species. The flavour and fragrance profile of the vanilla extract contains more than 200 components. Vanillin (3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde) is the main flavor compound in the vanilla extract and is the basis and an additive of sweets, ice creams, soft drinks and many more products in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industry. Despite its popularity, the biosynthetic pathway of vanillin has remained elusive until now. Our studies during last 4 years reveal how the vanilla orchid produces the most popular aroma compound in the world. A single hydratase/lyase type enzyme designated vanillin synthase (VpVAN) catalyzes direct conversion of ferulic acid and its glucoside into vanillin and its glucoside, respectively. The enzyme shows high sequence similarity to cysteine proteinases and is strictly specific to the substitution pattern at the aromatic ring. Transient expression of VpVAN in tobacco and stable expression in barley in combination with the action of endogenous alcohol dehydrogenases and UGTs result in vanillyl alcohol glucoside formation from endogenous ferulic acid (Gallage et al., 2014 Nature communications, Gallage and Møller 2015, Molecular plant).

Biography:

Sarah Marie is a foruth year medical student at KSAUHS, age 22 years old, Awarded a bronze medal in “Ibtikar”, Mawhiba, December, 2013, Gulf Countries’ Presenter, “The second Environmental Conference for Higher Education Students’ at Golf Countries”, November, 2013, Jeddah, Awarded 3rd place (6000 SR ) in the Fourth Scientific Conference for Higher Education Students, Makkah, April 2013, an Intel-ISEF 2012 finalist, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania 2012, and Awarded 4th place (8000 SR) in the “ National Scientific Olympiad” Ibda’, Mawhiba,2012. Employed as a Teaching assistant biomedical sciences at CTY international in 2014, a resident assistant at CTY international in 2014, and a counselor at King Abdullah University for Science anf Technology in 2013. Currently, The director of Miskat ( research, innovation, and technology) Club at KSAUHS.

Abstract:

Currently, many farmers in the world use chemical hormones and incentives to simulate their crop growth and provide additional attractiveness. In 1998, 5 to 6% of plant species contained a high amount of chemical incentives. Moreover, in 2010, 200 new diseases were discovered that are related to plants containing these problematic elements. The current research is aimed at eliminating this harmful growth method by using another non-invasive alternative process called the Cole-Cole model, as this electrical circuit is optimal for representing plants' tissue. Output voltage was measured for 15 natural growth specimens, and then used in solving fractional calculus equations to determine the resistance and capacitance values for each specimen. Then, the recoded results of 15 simulated growth specimens ( treated by chemical hormones) were examined in order to test the effect of using both methods on the crops. In the simulated growth case, the electrical elements values were decreased by 34.8%. These results were compared to another 15 specimens, which were infected by a nematode. Both the nematode and the hormone hold the same effect on the tissue, as the values in the infected viral case decreased by 42.8%, which is similar in nature to the simulated case. By applying this experiment, each person in the world can address fraud in food commodities and supply healthy food because he-she will be able to differentiate between the natural growth and the simulated growth fruits and vegetables. Farmers will also be able to diagnose crop diseases prior to symptom onset and control them rapidly and effectively.