Day 2 :
Keynote Forum
Margret More
Biocodex SA, France
Keynote: Benefi cial probiotic yeast S. boulardii - Towards a mechanistic understanding
Time : 15:20-15:50
Biography:
Margret I Moré has completed her PhD in Microbiology at Cornell University, Ithaca NY, USA. She did her postdoctoral studies in developmental neurobiology at
the the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in Berlin, Germany. She has more than 10 years of professional experience as Senior Consultant at analyze
and realize GmbH and as Regulatory Affairs Manager for DendroPharm GmbH and Herbalist and Doc Gesundheitsgesellschaft mbH. She has published numerous
research articles on microbiological and health-related topics. She recently published a review article on S. boulardii describing its effects on the microbiota. Another
manuscript on the yeast is in preparation.
Abstract:
The probiotic medicinal yeast Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 (S. cerevisiae HANSEN CBS 5926) is a well known preand
probiotic for the treatment and prevention of diarrhea. Th e yeast exhibits several diff erent modes of action, including
trophic eff ects, immune-modulatory and anti-infl ammatory actions, pathogen-binding and antitoxinic eff ects, as well as eff ects
on the microbiota. Many diff erent studies in rodents and humans have been published on this topic. Th e yeast enhances the
activity of digestive enzymes and nutrient uptake transporters of the brush border membrane (BBM). Th is is most likely
connected to secreted polyamines, which have a role in cell proliferation and diff erentiation. Th e yeast also secretes digestive
enzymes, for the benefi t of yeast and host alike. S. boulardii leads to a general unspecifi c immune system activation, which can
be considered advantagous in preventing diarrhea. However, during infections and resulting diarrheic situations, S. boulardii causes
pronounced anti-infl ammatory eff ects, thereby supporting pathogen elimination. Th e yeast off ers protection against pathogens and
their toxins. In addition, it stabilizes the healthy microbiota while functioning as a prebiotic. During diarrhea (including
antibiotic-induced dysbiosis), the microbiota are able to regenerate faster in the presence of S. boulardii, along with rapid
symptomatic improvement. More studies are needed to fully understand the various mechanisms and eff ects of the benefi cial
yeast.
Keynote Forum
Sylvie Chevalier
University of Rouen, France
Keynote: Cell wall stress response in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Involvement of the ECF sigma factor SigX
Biography:
Sylvie Chevalier has completed her studies in Molecular Microbiology at Strasburg University (France) in 1994. She holds a faculty position as Associate Professor
in 1995, and as Full Professor in 2010 at Rouen University (France). She is Vice Director of the Laboratory of Microbiology Signals and Microenvironment
(LMSM), and has published 58 papers, aiming at deciphering the relationships and the molecular networks linking cell envelope homeostasis and biofi lm formation,
virulence, antimicrobials resistance/tolerance in bacteria, and in particular in the human opportunist pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Her focus is to unravel
the mechanisms of stress responses, from signal perception to adaptation.
Abstract:
The bacterial cell envelope is the fi rst line of defense against environmental threats. Cell envelope stress responses (CESRs)
detect cell wall integrity alterations and reprogram gene expression to ensure bacterial survival. Pathogens need CESRs
to survive inside the host, where their envelopes face host immune system eff ectors and antimicrobials. Th e underlying signal
transduction can be mediated by extracytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factors. P. aeruginosa displays two CESR ECF σ factors,
AlgU and the recently described SigX. Using complementary approaches including OMICs, qRT-PCR, CLSM, anisotropy,
FAME and phenotypic analyses, we have shown that i) SigX regulates directly or indirectly more than 300 genes being involved
in numerous cellular processes (virulence, motility, adhesion, biofi lm formation); ii) membrane fl uidity alterations originating
from a sigX mutation result in strong dysregulations of CbrA/B, Crc and Hfq networks, linking SigX to the metabolic pathways;
iii) expression and activity of SigX are increased in response to numerous conditions (high sucrose or tobramycine sub-lethal
concentrations, low osmolarity, cold shock); suggesting that SigX responds to envelope perturbations. ECF factors activity is
usually regulated via sequestration by their cognate anti sigma factors. In sigX near vicinity, the cfrX-cmpX operonic structure
is transcribed at least partly from a SigX-dependent promoter. Based on molecular tools and in silico analyses, we have shown
that the hypothetical protein CfrX and the predicted mechanosensitive channel CmpX are involved in SigX activity. Future
challenges will now put emphasise on the interactions linking SigX, CfrX and CmpX to get further insights into CESR in P.
aeruginosa.
Keynote Forum
Youngnim Choi
Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Korea
Keynote: Imbalances in the oral mucosal microbiota associated with oral mucosal diseases
Biography:
Youngnim Choi (DDS) has completed her PhD from State University of New York at Buffalo and Post-doctoral studies from the National Human Genome Research
Institute/National Institute of Health, USA. She is the Professor at the Seoul National University School of Dentistry. She has published more than 60 papers in
reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of Journal of Dental Research. Her current research is focused on the role of host-microbe
interaction in the pathogenesis of periodontitis, oral mucosal diseases, and autoimmune diseases.
Abstract:
Both recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and oral lichen planus (OLP) are common oral mucosal disorders with unknown
ediopathogenesis. Th e oral mucosal microbiota on the lesions of either RAS or OLP were characterized in comparison with
healthy microbiota of control subjects. Th ere were no signifi cant diff erences in the alpha diversity between the controls and
either the RAS or OLP groups, however, the mucosal microbiota of both diseases showed increased inter-subject variability
compared to controls. A comparison of the relative abundance of each taxon revealed decreasing state in the members of
healthy core microbiota but increasing number of rare species in RAS. Particularly, decreased Streptococcus salivarius and
increased Acinetobacter johnsonii were associated with RAS risk. A dysbiosis index, which was developed using the relative
abundance of A. johnsonii and S. salivarius and the regression coeffi cients, correctly predicted 83% of the total cases for the
absence or presence of RAS. Meanwhile, the mucosal microbiota of OLP were characterized as a decrease in Streptococcus and
increases in gingivitis/periodontitis-associated bacteria. Because bacteria were abundantly detected within the OLP tissues
throughout the epithelium and the lamina propria, the microbiota located within the mucosal biopsies of several OLP patients
were analyzed. Surprisingly, a few speices were highly enriched within the tissues, suggesting a potential pathogenic role in
OLP. Th e knowledge on altered mucosal microbiota may provide diagnostic tools and new therapeutic targets for, in addition
to insights into the pathogenesis of oral mucosal diseases.
Keynote Forum
Youngnim Choi
Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Korea
Keynote: Imbalances in the oral mucosal microbiota associated with oral mucosal diseases
Biography:
Youngnim Choi (DDS) has completed her PhD from State University of New York at Buffalo and Post-doctoral studies from the National Human Genome Research
Institute/National Institute of Health, USA. She is the Professor at the Seoul National University School of Dentistry. She has published more than 60 papers in
reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of Journal of Dental Research. Her current research is focused on the role of host-microbe
interaction in the pathogenesis of periodontitis, oral mucosal diseases, and autoimmune diseases.
Abstract:
Both recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and oral lichen planus (OLP) are common oral mucosal disorders with unknown
ediopathogenesis. Th e oral mucosal microbiota on the lesions of either RAS or OLP were characterized in comparison with
healthy microbiota of control subjects. Th ere were no signifi cant diff erences in the alpha diversity between the controls and
either the RAS or OLP groups, however, the mucosal microbiota of both diseases showed increased inter-subject variability
compared to controls. A comparison of the relative abundance of each taxon revealed decreasing state in the members of
healthy core microbiota but increasing number of rare species in RAS. Particularly, decreased Streptococcus salivarius and
increased Acinetobacter johnsonii were associated with RAS risk. A dysbiosis index, which was developed using the relative
abundance of A. johnsonii and S. salivarius and the regression coeffi cients, correctly predicted 83% of the total cases for the
absence or presence of RAS. Meanwhile, the mucosal microbiota of OLP were characterized as a decrease in Streptococcus and
increases in gingivitis/periodontitis-associated bacteria. Because bacteria were abundantly detected within the OLP tissues
throughout the epithelium and the lamina propria, the microbiota located within the mucosal biopsies of several OLP patients
were analyzed. Surprisingly, a few speices were highly enriched within the tissues, suggesting a potential pathogenic role in
OLP. Th e knowledge on altered mucosal microbiota may provide diagnostic tools and new therapeutic targets for, in addition
to insights into the pathogenesis of oral mucosal diseases.
Keynote Forum
Chris D. Geddes
Director of the Institute of Fluorescence, USA
Keynote: Lyse-It - A rapid 30 second transformational lysing and DNA fragmentation technology
Biography:
Dr Chris D. Geddes, Ph.D., FRSC, Professor, has extensive experience in fl uorescence spectroscopy, particularly in fl uorescence sensing and metal-fl uorophore
interactions, publishing over 275 peer-reviewed papers (h-index: 45), and 30 books. Dr Geddes is internationally known in fl uorescence and plasmonics and
his laboratory is widely attributed to the development of the Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence (MEF) and related plasmon-fl uorescence technologies, securing in
excess of $25 million in recent years to pursue his research aspirations. He is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Fluorescence and founding editor-in-chief of the
Who’s Who in Fluorescence, Annual Reviews in Fluorescence and the Annual Reviews in Plasmonics volumes. In addition, due to the labs’ pioneering efforts in
the fi elds of metallic nanoparticle-fl uorophore interactions, Dr Geddes launched a Springer Journal "Plasmonics" in 2005, which is a leading journal in the fi eld
today. Dr Geddes is Director of the Institute of Fluorescence, a department within UMBC (University of Maryland Baltimore County), which focuses on the nanobio-
technological applications of fl uorescence. Dr Geddes has been a permanent member of the NIH’s EBIT R01 study section (2007-2012) and chaired the NIH’s
Analytical and BioAnalytical SBIR study section from ~ 2004-2009. Dr Geddes is a fellow of both the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) and the Institute of Physics.
Dr Geddes holds > 100 patents in the fi elds of fl uorescence and plasmonics and his roles and interactions with industry have created enterprise value in excess
of $100 Million dollars.
Abstract:
There is a long-standing need for rapid and sensitive detection platforms, including point-of-care tests, for a variety of
viruses and bacteria. While many technologies such as PCR and others, have the potential to provide results in under
30 minutes, pathogen identifi cation on these platforms actually takes many hours to complete, mostly due to the upfront
sample preparation, or specifi cally, sample cell lysis. Lysis, the process by which a bacteria or virus is “opened-up” to release
its genetic material, is crucial for its detection / identifi cation, and is typically undertaken by adding a chemical cocktail to
the sample (lysis buff er) accompanied by heating. Th is process takes several hours to complete and oft en involves expensive
lysis buff ers. Even in non-diagnostic settings such as in research laboratories, lysis is still cumbersomely performed by a
great number of researchers using the age-old lysing buff er technology. Consequently, Professor Geddes at the Institute of
Fluorescence has developed a rapid solution to this age-old problem, Lyse-It®, which has the potential to impact signifi cantly
both diagnostic and research settings. Focused microwaves in small disposable sample chambers readily allow the user to
lyse cellular samples with near-100% effi ciency, within 20 seconds on a single platform at a cost less than other technologies
available today. Importantly, this lysing approach is generic to a wide range of cells and viruses, i.e., is a single platform (one
size fi ts all), unlike traditional lysing buff er approaches that all use multiple kits for diff erent media. In addition, within this 30
second step, DNA / RNA can be fragmented into tunable bp-fragment sizes, ideal for amplifi cation and detection.
- Medical & Pharmaceutical Microbiology | Clinical Microbiology & Microbial infections | Industrial Applications of Microbes | Field of Probiotics |Microbes in Human welfare | Soil Microbiology & Agricultural Microbiology
Chair
Chris D Geddes
Director of the Institute of Fluorescence
Co-Chair
Johann Orlygsson
University of Akureyri
Session Introduction
Robert Hettich
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA
Title: Characterizing temporal and inter-individual functional differences in pre-term human infant gut microbiome development by a metaproteomics approach
Biography:
R L Hettich has completed his PhD from Purdue University and joined the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 1986. He is a distinguished Research Scientist in the Chemical Sciences
Division at ORNL and a joint Faculty Member in the Microbiology Division/ Genome Science and Technology (GST) Graduate Schools at the University of Tennessee. His research
interests involve the development and demonstration of advanced mass spectrometry technology for characterizing biological samples ranging from purifi ed proteins to environmental
microbial proteomes. He has over 230 peer-reviewed publications, and is active in teaching and mentoring graduate students.
Abstract:
Details about microbial species population structure and functional dynamics during microbiome establishment are poorly
understood in the human infant gut. Th e objective of this work is to exploit a high performance LC-MS/MS based metaproteomic
approach to explore host and microbiome temporal functional shift s during microbial colonization of the pre-term infant gut. Fecal
metaproteomes of nine pre-term infants were measured at discrete time-points over several months. Approximately 10,000 human
and microbial protein groups were identifi ed in each infant. In early time points, human proteins were more abundant than microbial
proteins, and comprised pathways involving epithelial barrier establishment and immune response. Intriguingly, comparison of
genomic and proteomic patterns identifi ed some microbial species that were both active and in low abundance. Most functional
core metabolic processes were conserved in the microbiome; however, temporal and inter-individual variations were identifi ed. For
example, lipid metabolism (specifi cally glycerol degradation) was dominant early in one infant, and progressed to predominantly
amino acid metabolism over time, in stark contrast to other pre-term infants. Th ese diff erences are likely related to microbiome or
environmental factors that distinguished the infants. In response to bacterial colonization, the human hosts expressed proteins that
play pivotal roles in the integrity and barrier properties of mucosal epithelial layers. Th e time-course metaproteomics measurements
revealed core metabolic pathways in both human and microbial proteins, revealing the establishment of the mutualistic relationship
between the microbiome and human host early in infancy. In total, these results reveal functional stability and inter-individual
signatures of the preterm infant gut microbiome.
John Thomas
International Educator and Global Microbiologist
Title: Computer generated decision suport for probotic guideline addressing artifi cial intellegnece: An educational strategy/resource
Biography:
John G Thomas is recognized as an “International Educator and Global Microbiologist”; being lectured in more than 43 countries whiles a Clinical Microbiologist
in Pathology, Dentistry and Medicine for 51 years. His research emphasizes bio-fi lms and medical devices including endotrachs and the connection between oral
diseases, VAP and wound infections (“Intellectual Design”) with the recent integration of micro 3-D- bio printing using bio-plastics and unique prebiotics (Therapeutic
Bacteria) for intervention. He has over 50 publications, multiple book chapters, signifi cant grant support, pending patents and over 100 posters/abstracts at national
and international meetings. His sabbatical at Cardiff University, Wales, UK (2007) was a driving infl uence. He has been a member of the ADA Scientifi c Advisory
Committee for the last 8years. As Faculty at 6 Universities during his career, he has received Alumni and University awards for research and International Student
Mentoring; retiring from WVU in 2013 after 23 years as Professor Emeritus, he presently is expanding his research/teaching utilizing the advanced resources of the
Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie–Mellon University and Mass. Gen. Hospital, Boston, MA.
Abstract:
WHO reported 30% of global population consumes Pre/Probiotics (P/P) worth $87.5 Billion/yr. Yet, considerable misunderstanding
persists fostered by a plethora of commercial products meeting WHO standards. In 2011, we established Global Microbiology
Consulting, including Bac-2-Health (B-2-H) encompassing three educational arms: international surveys (IS), a B-2-H probiotic
library (Probiotic Solutions), and translational research (TR). Here, we describe Phase I of B-2-H development, creating a database
with graded, searchable 7-tiered library for 1) general public, 2) health care providers (HCP), populated by current literature for
evidence based decision support. IS confi rmed limited positive knowledge (31%) of use, benefi ts and limitations of probiotics, helping
Phase I B-2-H database organization/stratifi cation integrating reviewed literature (310 manuscripts), 83% international, describing
the use, mechanism of action, and clinical application with 50 conditions organized into 11 diseases. Phase II, Partners-4-Life,
expands the use of probiotics in chronic wounds and aging, a recent disease as postulated by NIH, based on an additional review of
34 and 35 manuscripts, respectively; this has formed an interesting intersect with links to Artifi cial Intelligence (AI) as an ultimate
strategy for our web based, interactive App. Presently, advances in metagenomics have further fostered our concepts of restorative
microbiology recognizing our hypothesis of dual citizenship, catalyzed by the emerging Hologenomic Th eory of co-evolution which
fostered our new Center for Hologenomic Clinical Studies in 2017.
Lucas Wijnands
National Institute for Public Health and the Environment,Netherlands
Title: Prevalence, concentration and the related microbiological risk of bacterial pathogens in raw produce and minimally processed packaged salads produced in and for the Netherlands
Biography:
L M Wijnands has started working in Food Microbiology around 2000, and completed his PhD in Food Microbiology in 2008. Th e subject of his thesis was on Bacillus cereus associated
food borne disease. Ever since his PhD he worked on various subjects concerning risk assessmeent of food borne pathogens, such as Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella spp, Shiga toxin
producing E. coli and Listeria spp. One important subject of interest is the risk assessment regarding fresh produce. He is (co-) author of various papers with respect to the risk of fresh
produce, and with respect to dose-response work.
Abstract:
Outbreaks with vegetable or fruits as vehicles have raised interest in the characterization of the public health risk due to microbial
contamination of these commodities. Because such data are lacking, we conducted a survey to estimate the prevalence and
contamination level of raw produce and the resulting minimally processed packaged salads as sold in Th e Netherlands. A dedicated
sampling plan accounted for the amount of processed produce in relation to the amount of products, laboratory capacity, and seasonal
infl uences. Over 1,800 samples of produce and over 1,900 samples of ready-to-eat mixed salads were investigated for Salmonella
enterica serovars, Campylobacter spp., Escherichia coli O157, and Listeria monocytogenes. Th e overall prevalence in raw produce
varied between 0.11% for E. coli O157 and L. monocytogenes and 0.38% for Salmonella. Chain logistics, production fi gures, prevalence
data, and consumption patterns were combined with the survey data for the risk assessment chain approach. Th e results of the
sample analysis were used to track events from contamination through human illness. Wide 95% confi dence intervals around the
mean were found for estimated annual numbers of illnesses resulting from the consumption of mixed salads contaminated with
Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 (0 to 10,300 cases), Campylobacter spp. (0 to 92,000 cases), or E. coli (0 to 800 cases). Th e main
sources of uncertainty are the lack of decontamination data (i.e., produce washing during processing) and an appropriate doseresponse
relationship. For the latter, investigations for Salmonella and Shiga Toxin producing E. coli are set in motion.
A R M Solaiman
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Bangladesh
Title: Infl uence of diazotrophic bacteria on growth and biomass production of sugarcane in vitro
Biography:
Abstract:
An in vitro experiment was carried out to determine the eff ect of diazotrophic bacteria inoculation on growth and biomass
production of sugarcane. Th e experiment was conducted for eight weeks starting from 05 November 2011 to 05 January 2012.
Two diazotrophic bacterial strain isolated from sugarcane rhizosphere i.e. Bacillus cereus (BUSo 13) and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus
(BUSo 9) and one reference strain, Azospirillum barsilense (SP 7) were used to conduct the experiment. Seedlings from sugarcane bud
chips were used in this experiment. Hoagland solution was used to grow sugarcane seedling in test tube. Th ree levels of nitrogen viz.,
no nitrogen, 50% nitrogen and 100% nitrogen were provided for the crop. Th e experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized
Design (CRD) with three replications having 11 treatment combinations viz., T1: Control (no nitrogen), T2: 50% N, T3: 100% N, T4:
50% N + Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (BUSo 9), T5: 50% N + Azospirillum barsilense (SP 7), T6: 50% N + Bacillus cereus (BUSo 13), T7:
100% N + Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (BUSo 9), T8: 100% N+ Azospirillum barsilense (SP 7), T9: 100 % N + Bacillus cereus (BUSo 13),
T10: 50% N + mixed inoculums, T11: 100% N + mixed inoculums. Th e results of the experiment revealed that diazotrophic bacterial
inoculation in sugarcane increased growth parameters and biomass yield signifi cantly. Th e highest leaf greenness (38.67), number
of leaf per plant (9.67), plant height (76.00 cm), root length (31.67 cm), dry matter yield (3.17 g), N content in plant (1.52%) and
N-uptake (48.12 mg g-1) were obtained in treatment T6 receiving 50% N along with Bacillus cereus (BUSo 13) inoculation.
Maria Hoffmann
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, USA
Title: Applied genomics approaches for understanding pathogenic and benefi cial microbes from farm to fork
Biography:
At CFSAN (Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition), Dr. Ottesen has served as a Research Area Coordinator for Metagenomics and Food Microbiomes since
2009 in the Molecular Methods and Subtyping Branch (MMSB) of the Division of Microbiology. Ottesen’s work focuses on supporting source tracking programs
such as GenomeTrakr by providing molecular fi ngerprints to contribute to source tracking efforts as well as describe the microbial farm to fork continuum to identify
critical control points for food safety. She is also working to implement a MetaGenomeTrakr program to expedite source tracking and continue to provide baseline
microbial profi les for food and food ecologies.
Abstract:
Metagenomic description of agricultural microbiomes has led to the identifi cation of interesting bacterial and fungal
taxonomic consortia that play important roles in both crop health and food safety issues. Metagenomic approaches in
agro-ecologies have also helped to identify critical control points and important drivers of phyllosphere microbiota. All of
these data are advancing recommendations for data based Good Agricultural Practices and FSMA regulations.
Andrea Ottesen
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, USA
Title: Benefi cial phytobiota in agricultural microbiomes
Biography:
At CFSAN (Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition), Dr. Ottesen has served as a Research Area Coordinator for Metagenomics and Food Microbiomes since
2009 in the Molecular Methods and Subtyping Branch (MMSB) of the Division of Microbiology. Ottesen’s work focuses on supporting source tracking programs
such as GenomeTrakr by providing molecular fi ngerprints to contribute to source tracking efforts as well as describe the microbial farm to fork continuum to identify
critical control points for food safety. She is also working to implement a MetaGenomeTrakr program to expedite source tracking and continue to provide baseline
microbial profi les for food and food ecologies.
Abstract:
Metagenomic description of agricultural microbiomes has led to the identifi cation of interesting bacterial and fungal
taxonomic consortia that play important roles in both crop health and food safety issues. Metagenomic approaches in
agro-ecologies have also helped to identify critical control points and important drivers of phyllosphere microbiota. All of
these data are advancing recommendations for data based Good Agricultural Practices and FSMA regulations.
Biography:
Dr. Sarah Allard is a postdoctoral fellow for CONSERVE, a Center of Excellence at the Nexus of Sustainable Water Reuse, Food, and Health. After receiving
her B.A. in Biology from Haverford College, she completed an ORISE fellowship in the Division of Microbiology at the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied
Nutrition. For her dissertation research, she studied the tomato microbiome, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to investigate the infl uence of various agricultural
practices and fi eld conditions on the structure and diversity of tomato fruit-, blossom-, and root-dwelling bacterial communities. She received her PhD from the
University of Maryland in 2016. Now, as part of the CONSERVE team based in the UMD School of Public Health, she is primarily working to characterize the
microbiomes of nontraditional irrigation water sources including surface water and reclaimed wastewater. She is passionate about working towards the adoption of
agricultural practices that are microbiologically safe, environmentally sustainable, and economically viable.
Abstract:
Concerns about availability and quality of agricultural water have strengthened US national interest in water reuse and
the exploration of non-traditional irrigation water sources. Ensuring the safety of these water sources for agricultural
use is a major priority. CONSERVE, a Center of Excellence at the Nexus of Sustainable Water Reuse, Food and Health, is
midway through a 2-year sampling eff ort to characterize the quality of a variety of surface (river, pond) and nontraditional
(reclaimed wastewater, produce wash water, return fl ows) water sources in the Mid-Atlantic and Southwestern US. In this
talk, we compare the effi cacy of microbiological and molecular methods (16S rRNA gene sequencing, shotgun metagenomics,
and culture-based detection) in identifying foodborne pathogens from potential irrigation water sources in the Mid-Atlantic.
Culture-based detection methods remain the most eff ective for identifying human enteric pathogens, such as Salmonella
enterica and Listeria monocytogenes, from water samples. However, sequencing-based methods can be used to address the
ecological context of pathogens in irrigation water sources and may be useful for the detection of viable but non-culturable
organisms. Th erefore, a combination of approaches will likely lead to the most robust characterization of human pathogen
occurrence in the environment.
Rebecca Bell
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
Title: Salmonella, Tomatoes and the delmarva peninsula
Biography:
Dr. Rebecca Bell is a Research Microbiologist in the Molecular Methods and Subtyping Branch within the Division of Microbiology at the Food and Drug
Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Dr. Bell received her Ph.D. in microbiology from The Ohio State University in 2005. Afterwards, she
joined CFSAN in 2006 as a postdoctoral fellow in the Division of Analytical Chemistry where she worked on bacterial protein profi ling using liquid chromatography/
mass spectrometry. In 2008, Dr. Bell moved to MMSB. She is currently a lead microbiologist with the Human Pathogens on Plants (HPOP) research group focusing
on the ecological surveillance for Salmonella in agricultural areas of the United States, understanding Salmonella fi tness in the pre-harvest environment and
developing strategies to prevent or mitigate contamination of fresh produce. Dr. Bell serves as a subject matter expert on Salmonella biology and environmental
ecology for CFSAN.
Abstract:
Recurrent outbreaks of Salmonella enterica serovar Newport have been linked to produce, mainly tomatoes, grown on the
Delmarva Peninsula. Environmental surveys have discovered multiple serovars present in this environment yet only large
outbreaks of S. Newport have been reported. Understanding the ecology of S. Newport in this environment, and it’s interaction
with plants is crucial to implementing better good agricultural practices to prevent the pre-harvest contamination of fresh
produce. Traditional culture based microbiology, molecular biology and functional genomics intersect to aid in tackling this
fundamental food safety issue.
Jie Zheng
Food and Drug Administration, USA
Title: Discovery of Naturally-occurring broad-spectrum cyclic antibiotics from Paenibacillus alvei
Biography:
Jie Zheng currently serves as a Research Microbiologist in the Molecular Methods and Subtyping Branch (MMSB) within the Division of Microbiology at the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN). Dr. Zheng received her Ph.D. in Food Science from University of Maryland at
College Park, MD in 2006. Dr. Zheng joined the laboratories at CFSAN in 2008 after her two-year post-doc training at UMD. She has been engaged in development
of SNP-based detection, identifi cation and subtyping methods for various phyletic and pathovar divisions of pathogenic Salmonella. Dr. Zheng is one of the PIs on
the newly formed Human Pathogens on Plants (HPOP) research group where she focuses on her research in Salmonella adaptation in food matrix and plant using
next generation sequencing technology and development of related intervention strategies.
Abstract:
The rise of antimicrobial resistance necessitates the discovery and/or production of novel antibiotics. Naturally-occurring
gram-positive bacteria identifi ed as Paenibacillus alvei were isolated from plants native to the Virginia Eastern Shore
tomato growing region and used as biocontrol strain against Salmonella on tomato plant. Th e strains were also showed broadspectrum
antimicrobial activity against gram-negative and gram-positive foodborne pathogens. A novel class of broadspectrum
antibiotic compound was identifi ed with genome mining and multiple-stage tandem mass spectrometry.
Yi Chen
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, USA
Title: Whole genome and core genome analyses of Listeria monocytogenes associated with recent outbreaks
Biography:
Dr. Yi Chen joined FDA in 2008 and has been working on the method development and validation for the detection, enumeration and whole genome sequencing
analysis of L. monocytogenes. As a subject matter expert on L. monocytogenes, he has provided scientifi c advice for various FDA assignments, outbreak
investigations and laboratory analyses. He currently serves as a General Referee for AOAC International and editorial board member for Applied and Environmental
Microbiology.
Abstract:
A number of listeriosis outbreaks have been reported recently, in which next generation sequencing was used to complement
epidemiologic investigations. In this presentation, I discuss multiple whole genome sequencing and core genome
sequencing approaches using these outbreaks as case studies. Th e analyses provide insights to the selection of appropriate
approaches to defi ne the scope of an outbreak, to diff erentiate epidemiologically unrelated isolates, and to study the persistence
and microevolution of isolates in a single outbreak
- Industrial Microbiology & Food Microbiology| Environmental Microbes | Microbial Antibiotics|Pathogenic Microbes | Microbes in Aqua
Chair
Chris D Geddes
Director of the Institute of Fluorescence, USA
Session Introduction
John Thomas
International Educator and Global Microbiologist, USA
Title: Chronic wound intervention with contour-fi tting probiotic gauze: Re-establishing the benefi cal microbial library within
Biography:
John G Thomas is recognized as an “International Educator and Global Microbiologist”; being lectured in more than 43 countries whiles a Clinical Microbiologist
in Pathology, Dentistry and Medicine for 51 years. His research emphasizes bio-fi lms and medical devices including endotrachs and the connection between oral
diseases, VAP and wound infections (“Intellectual Design”) with the recent integration of micro 3-D- bio printing using bio-plastics and unique prebiotics (Therapeutic
Bacteria) for intervention. He has over 50 publications, multiple book chapters, signifi cant grant support, pending patents and over 100 posters/abstracts at national
and international meetings. His sabbatical at Cardiff University, Wales, UK (2007) was a driving infl uence. He has been a member of the ADA Scientifi c Advisory
Committee for the last 8years. As Faculty at 6 Universities during his career, he has received Alumni and University awards for research and International Student
Mentoring; retiring from WVU in 2013 after 23 years as Professor Emeritus, he presently is expanding his research/teaching utilizing the advanced resources of the
Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie–Mellon University and Mass. Gen. Hospital, Boston, MA.
Abstract:
Chronic wounds aff ect 6.5 million patients at an annual cost of US $25 billion, focusing on a growing, aging population polarized
with antibiotic resistance. We have investigated/reported on our use of eco-friendly skin probiotics with a multi-tiered in vitro
approach integrating: 1) Disruption: Reconstruction; 2) tissue engineering via a SMarT Gauze, 3) contoured to wound 3-D dimensions,
while selecting 4) 4 pools of probiotics targeted against common wound pathogens. Th e recent emergence of the hologenomic Th eory
of co-evolution catalyzed our theme of dual citizenship and the dual role of re-establishing the skin microbiota and library as a 1)
biologic and 2) antimicrobial barrier via restorative microbiology, facilitated by selection using a unique computer supported decision
tree analysis (Bac-2-Health) www.globalbugs.com. (Probiotic Solutions), recently enhanced for wounds and aging, an interesting
intersection (Partners-4-Life). Here, we expand our wound focus, targeting the elimination of wound gauze colonization (Ping- Pong
Hypothesis) which provides a biofi lm reservoir for re-inoculation of the wound bed via planktonic metastasis, disruption, while
re-establishing the healthy skin architecture reconstruction focusing on fungal pathogenicity. Secondarily, we have characterized
features of benefi cial probiotics as featured in published literature, addressing potential designer, intelligent probiotics as therapeutic
bacteria, highlighting a benefi cial biofi lm based on literature review and our evaluations, perhaps administered simultaneously, GUT
and skin, recognizing the dual axial brain link. Our strategy is to implement the 4 Es: ecologically sound, environmentally friendly,
engineered intelligently and economically feasible.
Anna Kowalczyk
Jagiellonian University, Poland
Title: High density polyethylene and polylactide biodegradation by microorganisms – preliminary studies
Biography:
Anna Kowalczyk has graduated from AGH University of Science and Technology in Environmental Protection, 2012 and from Jagiellonian University in Biology,
2013. Now she is doing research for her PhD thesis on the plant-microbe interactions under heavy metals stress in terms of application for phytoremediation. Since
2016 works as a lab manager in Department of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry on Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysiscs and Biotechnology on Jagiellonian
University, Cracow Poland. She also participates in projects continuing her previous research on plastic biodegradation.
Abstract:
This study present results of microbial activity towards polylactide (PLA) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) degradation.
Th ree selected from environment microorganisms species were used in project i.e. Achromobacter xylosoxidans PE-1 for HDPE
and two species of mold, i.e. Aspergillus niger and Penicillium minioluteum for PLA. Th ree types of the PLA were tested: two with
starch modifi cation (20% - PLA20 and 50% - PLA50) and one unmodifi ed PLA. Th e samples of plastic fi lm were incubated in liquid
mineral medium inoculated with isolated strains. Th e chemical structure changes of the samples were analyzed by Attenuated Total
Refl ectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Structure and the surface of the plastic fi lms was monitored by
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Additionally, weight loss of samples was controlled. Th e greatest weight loss (about 20%)
was observed for the PLA and it was two times higher than for the PLA20. About 9% loss of weight was also detected as a result of
A. xylosoxidans PE-1eff ect on HDPE fi lm. FTIR analysis showed visible changes of spectra of PLA and HDPE samples treated with
microorganisms, as the signal intensity indicated the reorganization of bonds and new bonds in tested range of the spectra were
observed. Th e SEM photographs of bacteria and mold strains treated samples also demonstrated changes of the fi lm structure which
was visibly rough in comparison to smooth surface of the control samples, and the higher was the content of starch in the case of PLA,
the more damaged was the fi lm sample.
Philip Hardwidge
Kansas State University, USA
Title: Bacterial glycosyltransferases that inhibit innate immunity
Biography:
Philip R Hardwidge is a Professor at Kansas State University. His laboratory is interested in understanding, treating, and preventing diarrheal disease caused
by bacterial pathogens. His research team has discovered several mechanisms by which bacterial proteins subvert the host innate immune system to promote
bacterial colonization and transmission. He is directing his knowledge of these proteins and their mammalian targets to innovative studies of metabolic syndromes,
autoimmune disorders, and cancer. He is also developing proteomic techniques to identify vaccine targets in other organisms.
Abstract:
Many Gram-negative bacterial pathogens use a syringe-like apparatus called a type III secretion system to inject virulence
factors into host cells. Some of these eff ectors are enzymes that modify host proteins to subvert their normal functions. NleB
is a glycosyltransferase that modifi es host proteins with N-acetyl-D-glucosamine to inhibit antibacterial and infl ammatory host
responses. NleB is conserved among the attaching/eff acing pathogens enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), enteropathogenic E. coli
(EPEC), and Citrobacter rodentium. Salmonella enterica strains encode up to three NleB orthologs named SseK1, SseK2, and SseK3.
However, there are confl icting reports regarding the activities and host protein targets among the NleB/SseK orthologs. We performed
in vitro glycosylation assays and cell culture experiments to compare the activities and substrate specifi cities of these eff ectors. SseK1,
SseK3, EHEC NleB1, EPEC NleB1, and C. rodentium NleB blocked TNF-mediated NF-κB pathway activation, whereas SseK2 and
NleB2 did not. C. rodentium NleB, EHEC NleB1, and SseK1 glycosylated host glyceraldehyde 3- phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH).
C. rodentium NleB, EHEC NleB1, EPEC NleB1,and SseK2 glycosylated the Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD). SseK3
and NleB2 were not active against either substrate. EHEC NleB1 glycosylates two GAPDH arginine residues, R197 and R200. Th ese
two residues are essential for GAPDHmediated activation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) Receptor-Associated Factor 2 (TRAF2)
ubiquitination. Th ese results provide evidence that members of this highly conserved family of bacterial virulence eff ectors target
diff erent host protein substrates and exhibit distinct cellular modes of action to suppress host responses.
Majid Avijgan
Isfahan University o Medical Sciences, Iran
Title: Synergistic activity between echinophora platyloba DC ethanolic extract and azole drugs againstclinical isolates of candida albicans from women suffering chronic recurrent vaginitis
Biography:
Majid Avijgan has completed his Doctorate (MD) from Ishafan University of Medical Sciences and Residency of Infectious Diseases for 4 years when he has
Graduated as Specialist in National Board of Iran as second degree among 19 particpants. He is one of Young Professor of Iran who has been promoted to
Full Professor of Infectious Diseases. He has published more than 104 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of some
international journals- American Journal of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine International.
Abstract:
Objective: Candida albicans is one of the main causes of vaginitis, especially in women with recurrent episodes. Th e appearance of
drug resistant C. albicans and adverse eff ects of chemical agents have raised interest in Echinophora platyloba as one of four native
species in Traditional Persian-Iranian medicine.
Materials & Methods: Th is study evaluates the antifungal activity of ethanolic extract from dried aerial parts of E. platyloba against
27 clinical isolates of C. albicans from women suff ering chronic recurrent vaginitis by micro-broth dilution assay. Th e synergistic
eff ect of azoledrugs and E. platyloba ethanolic extract were also determined by disc diff usion method aft er determining the MIC90.
Results: Th e results of this study showed a potent synergistic eff ect of E. platyloba ethanolic extract and itraconazole (P<0.01) and
fl uconazole (P<0.001) but an antagonistic eff ect between E. platyloba ethanolic extract and clotrimazole and miconazole against
clinicalisolates of C. albicans.
Conclusions: Th ese results must be confi rmed by clinical application and by further clinical studies.
Awatif Al-Judaibi
L'OREAL Research & Innovation, France
Title: Biochemical and molecular activities of Candida albicans treated with medicinal plants
Biography:
Awatif Al-Judaibi has a position of Demonstrator then a Lecturer at King Abdulaziz University. She completed her PhD at (KAU) in 2004. She has a position of Associate Professor
in the Department of Biological sciences-Microbiology, and Dean’s assistant in the Deanship of Community Services & Continuing Education-Rabigh brunch. She has skills and
experience in the antibacterial activity and molecular microbiology research, and she is the ASM country's ambassador of Saudi Arabia. In 2015, she has been awarded with a patent
from King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology. She supervised Master’s students in several projects with the aims of bacteriology, multidrug resistant bacteria, antimicrobial
agents. She has more than 26 publications.
Abstract:
This study aimed to compare the antimicrobial activity of Phoenix dactylifera and Ziziphus spina-christi ethanol extracts in
terms of their biochemical and molecular eff ects on Candida albicans. Th ese eff ects were evaluated with regard to intracellular
sterols, permeability of the cell membranes, and morphological characteristics determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) analyses were also conducted in addition to assessment of the changes in TEF1:
QRTTEF1, CaERG1: ERG1, CdERG12: CdERG1, and ERG25: ERG25 genes. Th e results showed that sterols increased by 1.096% and
0.588% with treatment by P. dactylifera and Z. spina-christi, respectively, compared to the untreated cells. Th e ethanol extracts were
eff ective on C. albicans permeability by reducing the cell membranes permeability. Th e SEM and EDAX analyses showed cell cavities
and shrinkage of the cell wall. In addition, the quantity of cells was decreased to a few abnormal cells compared to the untreated
cells. Yttrium was detected in the cells treated with Z. spina-christi, and high levels of osmium were detected in the cells treated
with P. dactylifera. Th e gene sequence showed gaps and mismatches on ERG1F, ERG1R, ERG12F, ERG12R, and ERG25F genes aft er
treatment with P. dactylifera and Z. spina-christi compared to untreated cells. Th e results were highly signifi cant (p≤0.01), and we
concluded that ethanol extracts of P. dactylifera and Z. spina-christi have an antimicrobial eff ect on several targets in yeast cells.
Biography:
Audrey Gueniche obtained her Pharmacist degree and her PhD degree in skin biology more than 20 years ago. She is an expert on immunology and microbiology.
Her main expertise is on skin topical treatment and food supplement for skin and hair health, especially using probiotics, natural extract and bacterial extracts.
She is currently a SENIOR CLINICAL EXPERT in LOREAL RESEARCH. She has a complete experience from in vitro evaluations/ preclinical studies to clinical
trials. Her passion is to always reinvent evaluation and fi nd best fi elds of area in term of actives to promote. She has published over 100 papers in peer-reviewed
journals, 5 chapters in books, 2 specials issues in journal where she was the invited editor. She presented in over 70 international congresses and additionally she
was personally invited to give more than 35 plenary conferences.
Abstract:
Probiotics have immunomodulatory functions through their activities on immunocompetent cells. Previously it was demonstrated
that supplementation with Lactobacillus johnsonii (La1) reinforces in human skin immune homeostasis and prevents UVmediated
immune-suppression, by promoting a faster recovery of Langerhans cells’ (LC) functions and basal CD1a+ cells number.
A new randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted with 54 healthy volunteers receiving either La1 (109
CFU/day) or placebo, during 57 days prior to UV (2 x 1.5 MED). Blister roofs, liquid and skin biopsies were collected 1, 4 and 10 days
aft er UV exposure from non-irradiated and irradiated skin areas and used for identifi cation of cells involved in UV-induced immune
response and quantifi cation of infl ammatory cytokines. While a similar decrease of LC for both groups was observed on day 1 aft er UV
exposure compared to placebo, La-1 group presented an increase of a new subset of epidermal dendritic cells (DC), namely early LC
precursors (CD1alow CD207-) associated with a minor recruitment of monocytes. Concomitantly, inhibition of IL-10 stimulation and
a tendency to inhibit IL-6 production was observed in La-1 group compared to placebo. On day 4, La-1 group presented signifi cantly
more early LC precursors and a trend to increase CD1alow CD207+ LC late precursors compared to placebo. Additionally, a faster
reduction of infl ammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNFalpha, IL-8, and IL-10) was observed in La1 group compared to placebo. Finally, 10
days aft er the UV challenge, even a similar recovery of the LCs was observed in both groups, a faster normalization to pre-challenge
values for TNF alpha, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and p53 was observed in the La1 group compared to placebo. We show that La1 limits UVinduced
immune-suppression and skin infl ammation thus contributes to the early recovery of the skin immune homeostasis. In a last
study, we evaluate the effi cacy of La1 supplementation on UV suppression of CHS response and found that La1 protect against UV
suppression of skin immune response. All these studies confi rm that La1 supplementation signifi cantly protects the skin’s immune
system from UV-induced immunosuppression. Maintenance of the cutaneous immune response is valuable in preventing long-term
eff ects of UV radiation, such as tumour development, which can result when there is a lack of appropriate immune-surveillance.
I K Mpanga
Universität Hohenheim, Germany
Title: Benefi ts of ammonium fertilization for plant-PGPM interactions
Biography:
I K Mpanga is currently a PhD Student at the University of Hohenheim, Germany, where he obtained his MSc in Crop Sciences. His work focuses on fertilization
strategies to improve plant-growth promotion of microorganisms which is under the just ended European Union Project called Bioeffector chaired by Guenter
Neumann at University of Hohenheim, Germany.
Abstract:
Attempts to use soil microorganisms with potential for nutrient mobilization as inoculants to improve nutrient acquisition of
crops have a long history. However, a major limitation of these approaches is a frequently limited reproducibility of eff ects
under practical conditions. Testing a range of commercial products based on Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Trichoderma and Penicillium
strains, revealed that the expression of their plant growth promoting potential on maize was strongly dependent on the form of
nitrogen supply. Superior performance was recorded in combination with ammonium-based fertilizers, stabilized by nitrifi cation
inhibitors instead of nitrate dominated fertilization. A closer examination of the ammonium eff ects revealed a stronger stimulation
of root growth induced by the inoculants, associated with an ammonium-induced elongation of root hairs. Accordingly, ammoniumfertilized
maize plants showed higher endogenous auxin (IAA) levels and increased auxin-production potential was demonstrated for
Bacillus and Pseudomonas strains in presence of stabilized ammonium, both, on artifi cial growth media and aft er-isolation from the
rhizosphere. Higher root colonization of maize plants supplied with stabilized ammonium was recorded for a Trichoderma harzianum
strain. Moreover, the synergistic eff ect of microbial and ammonium-induced root growth promotion resulted in a larger root surface
area, involved in rhizosphere acidifi cation due to proton-extrusion in response to ammonium uptake, mediating the mobilization of
Ca-phosphates and micronutrients such as Zn and Mn. Finally, ammonium fertilization suppressed root infection by the seed-borne
pathogenic fungus Fusarium proliferatum. Th e fi ndings demonstrated that plant-PGPM interactions are strongly dependent on the
form of N fertilization off ering management options, which have been recently patented.
Bharat Kwatra
St. Mark’s School, India
Title: Expeditious modus operandi to procure commingled single cell protein and its uses in intractable diseases
Biography:
Bharat Kwatra is a Student of High school in India, but very keen and enthusiastic about microbes which make him different from others. He is an active Member of
Indian microbial society at very young age. He is very passionate about his research which encourages him to look forward for gaining knowledge. From the age of
15 years, he is involved in doing research on various health issues. He received fi rst prize in international conference, 2017. He is also being awarded as Youngest
Researcher in his state. He is being recently working on Single cell protein with Department of microbiology at his school.
Abstract:
These days intractable diseases namely cancer, dementia, obesity, diabetes and malnutrition cases are terribly increasing, so it
is a need of an hour to fi nd a cure for these diseases. To fi nd the cure for these diseases I have used some microorganisms
namely Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Trichoderma varidae, Aspergillus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Spirulina maxima
and Rhodopseudomonas capsulata. During experiment, I designed a bio-reactor and studied the type of nutrition substrate, humidity,
temperature and photoperiod is required to get the best culture, then I combine all these microbes with each other into 49 set of two
microbes and fi nd the nutritional value of each set. Th e best three were chosen and then the same experiment continued till the time
I found the best and suitable mixture with highest nutritional value. Th e best mixture was studied and used for various trials on above
mentioned diseases and I found the positive results.
Christy Echakachi Manyi-Loh
University of Fort Hare, South Africa
Title: Animal farming in south africa: Antibiotics use and antibiotic resistance
Biography:
Christy Echakachi Manyi-Loh holds a position as a Postdoctoral research fellow at the Fort Hare Institute of Technology, University of Fort Hare, South Africa, under
the sponsorship of National Research Foundation, South Africa. Her current research expertise lies on biomass energy. She demonstrates the production of biogas
from biomass which are considered as nuisance to the society as well as emphasizes the public health and environmental hazards. She equally possesses skills in
Medical Microbiology and Phytomedicines acquired based on isolation of H. pylori from gastric biopsies of patients in Cameroon and South Africa and the screening
of honey varieties for alternative bioactive molecules.
Abstract:
South Africa has a high burden of infections including a high rate of HIV and TB infections. It is equally challenged by a high
antibiotic resistance rate both from clinical and environmental settings. Th e country embraces a multi-disciplinary agricultural
system with the indiscriminate use of antibiotics. Notwithstanding, it is enriched with great plant and fl oral biodiversity. Th e purpose
of this study is to review in detail the types of antibiotics, and their dosage forms available for use in livestock farming and its most
striking consequential eff ect, antibiotic resistance. We equally describe ways through which the biomolecules enter the environment,
and their fate in the environment. Th e level of antibiotic resistance of bacterial isolates from diff erent environmental sources and
plausible ways of transfer of their resistance determinant was elucidated. Critical information and data relating to the topic were
explored and obtained via search engines including google search and PubMed. Data on the volume and pattern of antibiotics
utilization in animal farming are limited owing to drug counterfeiting, antibiotics are controlled by two diff erent acts and data on
percentage consumption by non-food animals is lacking. Majority of the antibiotics are implemented as in-feed to animals which
triggers the development of antibiotics resistance on long term basis. Zoonotic pathogens recovered from animal products have been
reported to aff ect humans, with varying levels of resistance which can be transferred via VGT or HGT. Th e environment can serve as
a hotspot for the transfer of antibiotic resistance. In totality, the assembled information is vital to public health care systems, farmers,
veterinarians, pharmaceutical companies and the society at large for the quest of joint eff ort in the prudent use and management of
antibiotics towards the fi ght against antibiotic resistance.
Wang Bowen
Northeast Forestry University School of Forest, China
Title: Low temperature extends lifespan of pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) through cGMP pathway
Biography:
Wang Bowen is a PhD candidate in Northeast Forestry University School of Forestry, China. He took a successive Post-graduate and Doctoral program in
September 2015 and doing research in molecular mechanism of anti-adversity ability of plant parasite nematode. He has published more than 10 papers in
academic journals and has been one of the most excellent PhD candidate in Northeast Forestry University.
Abstract:
As one of the most dangerous invasive species in the world, Pine Wood Nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) is the causal
agent of Pine Wilt Disease which causes enormous ecological and fi nancial losses by damaging the pine forest resources in Asia,
North America and Europe. It has been reported that Pine Wood Nematode has infested to the area where climate is relatively cold,
and infestation area will continue expensing to colder regions of Asian and Europe. Our hypothesis is that cold-dependent lifespan
extension is not a passive thermodynamic process but an active one which can be promoted by genetic programs at low temperature.
To decipher the low temperature induced lifespan extension in Pine Wood Nematode, my group studied the molecular mechanism
of this phenomenon. Th e results shows that the cold induced lifespan extension is regulated by several genetic pathways including
cGMP pathway. Th is study provided new ideas for the control of this devastating plant parasite nematode.
Lucy Iteba
University of Nairobi, School of Biological Sciences, Kenya
Title: Laboratory analysis of antimicrobial properties of honey
Biography:
Lucy Mongina Iteba has studied her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Biotechnology in the University of Nairobi and Graduated with second class upper
division in the year 2014. Currently, she is pursuing her Master’s in the same course and same university while also working with a pharmaceutical company called
Glyxosmith Kenya in the Microbiology section. She is a Researcher aiming at nothing less but the best in her career.
Abstract:
The use of honey is widely spread across the world due to its nutrition and medicinal values. It has both the antioxidant and
antibacterial properties. In the laboratory analysis, the honey sample used was collected from the National Bee Keeping Station.
Agar solution was prepared under sterile conditions and aseptically inoculated in petri dishes for 24 hours. Escherichia coli and
Staphylococcus aureus were spread in the culture in diff erent petri dishes. sterile paper discs were impregnated with honey and put
at the center of the cultures. Streptomycin, a known antibiotic was used as a control experiment in a diff erent petri dish. Th ey were
incubated for 24 hours. Th e results showed that there were a clear batch around the discs. Th is shows that honey could inhibit the
growth of these microbes around the disc and that honey can be used for its antimicrobial properties on E. coli and S. aureus.