Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Andrei Kolzov
Peter The Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University
Keynote: Evolution by tumor neofunctionalization and expression of evolutionarily novel genes in tumors
Biography:
A P Kozlov Graduated fom St Petersburg University in 1972. From 1972-1975, he performed his Postgraduate studies at the N N Petrov Institute of Oncology,
and defended his PhD. He discovered fi rst cases of HIV infection in Russia, performed the fi rst in Russia isolation of HIV and fi eld studies of HIV/AIDS epidemic,
described the nascent phase of HIV/AIDS epidemic which took place in Russia in 1980s and 1990s, and transition to concentrated phase. In 2010, he described
the "genetic bottleneck" in HIV transmission among IDUs at St Petersburg. In the fi eld of oncology he developed the concept of the possible evolutionary role of
heritable tumors which was resently summarized in his book "Evolution by Tumor Neofunctionalisation", Elsevier/Academic Press, 2014. For several years he
served as a member of Advisory Board for the Committee of Science and Education of Russian Parliament. He won the Russian national Chumakov, Vernadsky
and Mechnikov awards for research in AIDS, immunology and biotechnology, and international Paul Harris Fellowship for his contribution in fi ghting AIDS and other
infectious diseases.
Abstract:
Earlier I formulated the hypothesis of the possible evolutionary role of tumors. Th is hypothesis suggests that heritable
tumors supply evolving multicellular organisms with extra cell masses for the expression of newly evolving genes. Aft er
expression of novel genes in tumor cells, tumors diff erentiate in new directions and may give rise to new cell types, tissues and
organs. In the presentation, the data supporting the positive evolutionary role of tumors will be reviewed, obtained both in the
lab of the author and from the literature sources. Th e following issues will be addressed: the widespread occurrence of tumors
in multicellular organisms; features of tumors that could be used in evolution; the relationship of tumors to evo-devo; examples
of recapitulation of some tumor features in recently evolved organs; the types of tumors that might play the role in evolution;
examples of tumors that have played the role in evolution. Th e expression of evolutionarily novel genes in tumors was predicted
by hypothesis of the possible evolutionary role of tumors. In my lab we described several genes evolutionarily novel genes
expressed specifi cally or predominantly in human tumors (OTP, ESRG, PVT1, ELFN1-AS1, HHLA1, DCD, SPRR1A, PBOV1
and others). We also described the evolutionary novelty of the whole classes of genes expressed predominantly in tumors,
i.e. CT-X genes and genes of noncoding tumor specifi cally expressed RNAs. We studied the phylogenetic distribution of the
orthologs of genes expressed in tumors and found that diff erent functional gene classes have diff erent evolutionary novelty.
Some of them are enriched by evolutionarily novel genes. We showed that evolution of oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes and
diff erentiation genes occurs in a parallel way, which supports the participation of tumors in the origin of new cell types. Some
human genes which determine progressive traits originated in fi shes and were fi rst expressed in fi sh tumors. Th e existing data
suggest that genes originated by gene duplication; from endogenous retroviruses; by exon shuffl ing; and de novo are expressed
in tumors, sometimes with high tumor specifi city. Th e conclusion will be made that the expression of evolutionarily novel
genes in tumors may be a novel biological phenomenon with important evolutionary role.
Keynote Forum
Robert C. Allen
Creighton University School of Medicine
Keynote: Selective myeloperoxidase-bacteria binding and killing: Mechanism for establishing and maintaining lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as normal fl ora
Biography:
Robert C Allen has completed his PhD and MD degrees from Tulane University (1970 to 1977). He practiced infectious disease and later clinical pathology. He is
a Fellow in the College of American Pathologists (FCAP) and is presently a Professor in the Department of Pathology of Creighton University School of Medicine.
Abstract:
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) lack cytochrome synthesis and the electron transport mechanisms required for effi cient oxygenbased
metabolism. LAB redox activity is fl avoenzyme-based and metabolism is fermentative resulting in production of
lactic acid, and in many cases, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). LAB occupy dominant positions within the normal fl ora of the
mouth, vagina and lower gastrointestinal tract in man. Neutrophil leukocytes and monocytes provide innate immune defense
against infecting pathogens. Th ese phagocytes synthesize relatively large quantities of myeloperoxidase (MPO), a unique
microbicidal haloperoxidase that catalyzes the H2O2-dependent oxidation of chloride (Cl-) to hypochlorite (OCl-); OCl- can
directly react with a second H2O2 producing singlet molecular oxygen (1O2*), a metastable electronically excited state of oxygen
with a microsecond half-life that restricts its potent electrophilic reactivity to within a radius of about 0.2 micron from its
generation. A healthy human adult generates about a hundred billion neutrophils per day. Infl ammation, infection and G-CSF
treatment greatly increase neutrophil production and the concentration of MPO/neutrophil. Aft er a short circulating lifetime,
neutrophils leave the blood and migrate into body spaces including the mouth, vagina, et cetera. Neutrophils lavaged from
the mouth of healthy humans are in proportion to the blood neutrophil count. MPO selectively binds to all Gram-negative
and many Gram-positive bacteria we have tested. However, MPO does not show signifi cant binding to LAB. Migration of
neutrophils to body spaces delivers MPO into a milieu conditioned by LAB fermentative action. Th e acid and H2O2 drive
extra-phagocyte MPO microbicidal action against MPO-bound microbes. Selectivity of MPO binding results in selective
killing, and provides a mechanism for establishing and maintaining LAB as the normal fl ora of man.
Keynote Forum
Linda Duffy
National Institutes of Health NIH/DHHS
Keynote: Progress and challenges: What’s happened to keystone taxa and their metagenomic footprints in human gut microbial cometabolism ?
Biography:
Linda C Duffy has served for many years as Professor of Pediatrics and Infectious Disease Epidemiology at the State University of New York-Buffalo and has
served in the U S Federal Government since 2004. Currently, she is a Health Scientist Adminstrator at the National Institutes of Health, Departnment of Health
and Human Services [NIH/DHHS]. She leads trans-NIH and inter-agency innovation in areas of multi-omics validation technologies in understanding the role of
keystone groups and genes in their related probiotic and microbiota essential interactions with the human host. She has received prestigious awards in recognition
of her contributions and has published extensively in journals and co-authored numerous agency technical reports and bookchapters.
Abstract:
Microbiome metabolic impacts and essential functions in the human host have co-evolved with Homo sapiens. Th e growing
appreciation of the role of microbiomes in host essential life functions raises the question of whether keystone species
and ancient human microbiomes can yield metabolic footprints that can demystify broader issues in human evolution and to
what extent microbiota has been shaped by western diet, drug metabolism and lifestyle. Th is talk will in part, review keystone
Actinomyces and keystone organism and gene impacts on carbohydrate metabolism that infl uence the overall glycobiome of
the gut microbiome and host interactions. Despite the gaps and challenges, metabolic footprints of targeted host-microbiome
interactions indicative of health and toxicity will likely become important components of our overall understanding of food,
drug and toxicant metabolism. Th e conceptual view of keystone taxa and groups is intriguing, and the search for missing
genomic links to essential functionalities through integrated omics and imaging technologies opens up exciting possibilities for
devising prediction and control strategies for microbial communities in the future. Focusing research eff orts on understanding
the importance of the co-evolution of keystone species and community ecology, inter-kingdom conserved metabolic genes
and microbial-host interactions for ecosystem functions has promising potential for development of biologically-based
interventions aimed at enhancing immune system development, energy metabolism, and human performance.
Keynote Forum
Johann Orlygsson
University of Akureyri
Keynote: Amino acid catabolism of Thermoanaerobacter and Caldanaerobacter species
Time : 11:15-11:50
Biography:
Jóhann Örlygsson is working as a Professor at University of Akureyri, Iceland. He was awarded PhD in Microbiology, Swedish Univeristy of Agricultural Sciences,
Sweden. He was awarded “post-doc" in Groningen, Holland. He has been a teacher at the academic institutions mentioned above. Has been responsible for
research projects of two master Dutch students (Uppsala and Groningen) and fi ve master students have fi nalized their master thesis’s at the University of Akureyri
(UA) within various projects of energy biotechnology (from 2006 – 2009). Currently two MS students are enrolled under my supervision. Also I supervised two MS
students in 2009-10 from RES, The School of Renewable Sciences. His experience includes various programs, contributions and participation in different countries
for diverse fi elds of study. Her research interests refl ect in her wide range of publications in various national and international journals.
Abstract:
Thermoanaerobacter strains have been widely investigated for biofuel production from carbohydrates while proteins and
amino acids catabolism have received less attention. Amino acid catabolism is challenging under anaerobic conditions unless
hydrogen is removed. Recent reports have demonstrated that Th ermoanaerobacter strains can degrade branched-chain amino
acids (BCAAs) to a mixture of their corresponding fatty acids (BCFAs) and alcohols (BCOHs) when thiosulfate is present. Th e
aim of the presented work to evaluate the ability of these genera to degrade amino acids and better understand the mechanisms
dictating the observed end productratios. Th e type species of thegenera of Th ermoanaerobacter and Caldanaerobacter, were
investigated in batch culture for each of the proteogenic amino acids with and without the addition of thiosulfate as an electron
acceptor. Some strains in the genus could utilize serine and threonine without the addition of thiosulfate with acetate and
ethanol being the dominate products while BCFA/BCOH ratios from BCAA were highly dependent on species and substrate
when thiosulfate was added. BCAA catabolism resulted mixtures of the corresponding BCOH (0.5-5 mM) and BCFA (3.5-
15.5 mM) with partial substrate utilization being observed in some cases. Altering the liquid-gas phase ratio had an impact
on end product ratios; in the case of C. subterraneus subsp. yonseiensis, increasing the L-G ratio from 1.00 to 5.88, the BCOH
formation increased more than 5-fold (with thiosulfate) and less BCFA were produced.
Keynote Forum
Jennifer Alcaino
Universidad de Chile
Keynote: Genetic control and regulation of the biosynthesis of isoprenoids in the red yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous
Biography:
Jennifer Alcaíno was graduated in Molecular Biotechnology Engineering from the University of Chile in 2001. In 2009, she received her Doctorate degree in Sciences,
Microbiology also from the University of Chile. She is currently an Associate Professor of the Department of Ecological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University
of Chile. She has published about 30 articles in reputed journals and several book chapters on microbial isoprenoids including carotenoids, yeast genetics, yeast
genetic strain improvement, and psychrophilic yeasts biodiversity and physiological adaptations. She is mainly interested in yeast genetics and products that may
have potential for biotechnological applications.
Abstract:
Isoprenoids are natural compounds fulfi lling diverse biological roles. Th ey are structurally conformed by isoprene units,
being isopentenyl-pyrophosphate (IPP) the active form that is synthesized by the mevalonate pathway in non-photosynthetic
organisms. Carotenoids and sterols derive from IPP, being astaxanthin and ergosterol the fi nal products of both biosynthetic
pathways in the red yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous. Th ese products are biotechnologically attractive because astaxanthin
has antioxidant properties and is used as colorant, while ergosterol is precursor of vitamin D. Th us, the main goal of our group is
to study common genetic elements involved in control and regulation of the synthesis of carotenoids and ergosterol. According
to our results, X. dendrorhous mutants unable to synthesize ergosterol overproduce carotenoids and other sterols, suggesting
that ergosterol regulates its own synthesis by a negative feedback mechanism aff ecting the overall synthesis of isoprenoids in
this yeast. Sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs) are a family of membrane-bound transcription factors that are
activated by proteolytic cleavage depending on sterol levels to release the N-terminal domain that activates the transcription of
the target genes. SREBPs have been identifi ed in fungi, named as Sre1, being Sre1N the active form. Our studies indicate that
X. dendrorhous has an orthologous sterol-regulated SREBP activation pathway that regulates sterol and carotenoid biosynthesis
as the production of both is aff ected in sre1- mutants. Moreover, the expression of only the Sre1N domain, increases sterol and
carotenoid production, suggesting that Sre1 is responsible for the carotenoid and sterol overproducing phenotype in mutants
unable to produce ergosterol.
Keynote Forum
Shaon Ray Chaudhuri
Tripura University
Keynote: Microbiology technology for environmental sustenance
Biography:
Shaon Ray Chaudhuri has completed her Undergraduate studies from University of Calcutta, India, Physiology with specialization in Endocrinology and Reproductive
Physiology. She has completed her PhD in Molecular Biology from the same university in 2001 and was the recipient of the Young Scientist Award in 2001. She
has completed her Postdoctoral Training in Technical University of Munich and Humboldt University, Berlin and continued working as a University faculty from 2004
onwards. She is currently an Associate Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, Tripura University, India. Her group works are in microbial technology for
health and environment. She has 47 papers, 12 book chapters and 7 students graduated with PhD from her laboratory. She has 11 patents fi led and 5 technologies
transferred to the industry.
Abstract:
Two of the major environmental concerns challenging the human civilization include minimizing pollution due to
anthropogenic activity and reducing use of fresh water for non-potable application. More than 80% of the fresh water
is used for non-potable application, when the recent report of UN predicts water stress for 40% of the world population. We
have been working on developing tailor made microbial consortium for waste water treatment with sequestration of essential
resources or byproduct generation. Two such processes developed by us include sequestration of nitrate and phosphate from
water of raw sewage canal/agriculture runoff for reuse of the treated water for irrigation and conversion of dairy effl uent into
biofertilizer. In both the cases, during treatment the essential nutrients (nitrate and phosphate) are sequestered or converted
into a form suitable for sustaining plant growth. Th e bacterial isolates used to develop the consortium were carefully chosen
aft er detailed identifi cation. Both the systems of water purifi cation were faster than the existing technology in the market.
While value addition of dairy effl uent takes 16 hours, nutrient sequestration from agricultural system taken just two hours.
Hence through a careful selection of microbes, tailor made consortium can be developed with the objective of waste water
treatment and reuse with little dead biomass formation. Th is could convert waste to wealth while sustaining environment.
Keynote Forum
Shaon Ray Chaudhuri
Tripura University
Keynote: Microbiology technology for environmental sustenance
Biography:
Shaon Ray Chaudhuri has completed her Undergraduate studies from University of Calcutta, India, Physiology with specialization in Endocrinology and Reproductive
Physiology. She has completed her PhD in Molecular Biology from the same university in 2001 and was the recipient of the Young Scientist Award in 2001. She
has completed her Postdoctoral Training in Technical University of Munich and Humboldt University, Berlin and continued working as a University faculty from 2004
onwards. She is currently an Associate Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, Tripura University, India. Her group works are in microbial technology for
health and environment. She has 47 papers, 12 book chapters and 7 students graduated with PhD from her laboratory. She has 11 patents fi led and 5 technologies
transferred to the industry.
Abstract:
Two of the major environmental concerns challenging the human civilization include minimizing pollution due to
anthropogenic activity and reducing use of fresh water for non-potable application. More than 80% of the fresh water
is used for non-potable application, when the recent report of UN predicts water stress for 40% of the world population. We
have been working on developing tailor made microbial consortium for waste water treatment with sequestration of essential
resources or byproduct generation. Two such processes developed by us include sequestration of nitrate and phosphate from
water of raw sewage canal/agriculture runoff for reuse of the treated water for irrigation and conversion of dairy effl uent into
biofertilizer. In both the cases, during treatment the essential nutrients (nitrate and phosphate) are sequestered or converted
into a form suitable for sustaining plant growth. Th e bacterial isolates used to develop the consortium were carefully chosen
aft er detailed identifi cation. Both the systems of water purifi cation were faster than the existing technology in the market.
While value addition of dairy effl uent takes 16 hours, nutrient sequestration from agricultural system taken just two hours.
Hence through a careful selection of microbes, tailor made consortium can be developed with the objective of waste water
treatment and reuse with little dead biomass formation. Th is could convert waste to wealth while sustaining environment.
- 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