Scientific Program

Conference Series Ltd invites all the participants across the globe to attend 8th World Congress on Plant Genomics and Plant Science Osaka, Japan.

Day 1 :

Keynote Forum

Rachel Swee-Suak Ko

Professor, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Taiwan

Keynote: Phalaenopsis aphrodite (moth orchid)- functional genomics and biotechnology

Time : 09:30 AM - 10:15 AM

Conference Series Plant Genomics 2018 International Conference Keynote Speaker Rachel Swee-Suak Ko photo
Biography:

Rachel Swee-Suak Ko works for Academia Sinica Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center/ BCST, Taiwan R.O.C.  She got her Ph.D. in National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan. The main focus of her research is to increase double spiking rate and increase flower production in Phalaenopsis orchid by manipulating the best environmental factors of CO2, LED lighting, and temperature. She is interested to understanding and discovers the complex molecular mechanisms that control spiking phenomenon in Phalaenopsis orchid. The basic knowledge gain will facilitate orchid production

Abstract:

Phalaenopsis aphrodite (moth orchid) is one of the most important ornamental crops in the international orchid market. In nature, this epiphytic orchid grows on the surface of trees. Phal. aphrodite has thick, succulent leaves and performs typical Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis. CAM orchids evolved to maximize carbon gain and simultaneously minimize water loss by opening their stomates at night under arid conditions, therefore, attaining high water use efficiency. However, several constraints such as slow growth rate, high ploidy levels, and large and complex of genome size might hamper basic study of this orchid.
The availability of next-generation sequencing technologies has greatly advanced the possibility of examination of sequence information in non-model crops. There are two orchid databases, named OrchidBase 2.0 and Orchidstra 2.0 freely available to the public in Taiwan. Notably, Orchidstra 2.0 provides transcriptomic resources for 18 orchid species including gene expression patterns in various tissues. The genome sequence of Phal. equestris was published in 2015, and recently, in April 2018, Academia Sinica further published the genome sequence of Phal. aphrodite. These databases and platforms facilitate functional genomics study and might speed up molecular breeding progress. In addition, several recent molecular technological advances might accelerate basic research, such as virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) that provides transient, rapid testing for functional validation and screening of functional genes in orchids, and transient protoplast assay technology that can facilitate molecular study. Moreover, we developed a heritable and efficient Agrobacterium- mediated transformation using protocorms that enables functional genomics studies and molecular breeding.  
Here, I will present two cases of functional genomics studies of Phal. aphrodite: chloroplast movement and multiple spiking. Plants are sessile; therefore, they have evolved mechanisms to regulate growth and development to cope with ever-changing environments. In general, this orchid is very sensitive to high light irradiation, which can lead to burn spots on the leaves. Phototropins are blue light receptors in plants that function in chloroplast movement, stomatal opening, and affect plant growth and development. We have characterized the function of two PHOTOTROPIN genes in chloroplast movement. For the second case, multiple spike induction and its mechanism in Phal. aphrodite will be discussed. 

Keynote Forum

Magdy Montasser

Associate Professor , University of Kuwait, Biological Science

Keynote: Viral Satellite RNA as a Biological Control Agent Against Viral Diseases

Time : 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM

Conference Series Plant Genomics 2018 International Conference Keynote Speaker Magdy Montasser  photo
Biography:

Magdy Montasser has his expertise in Molecular Virology and Plant Pathology over the last 30 years of experience in research, evaluation, teaching and supervising graduate students towards M.Sc. He optained his Ph.D. degree from Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA in 1988, and Post Doctor at the University of Maryland. Currently working as an Associate Professor at the University of Kuwait, Biological Science

 

Abstract:

A naturally occurring satellite RNA possessed by the CMV strain was first characterized and then used as a biological control agent to protect tomato plants against the disease induced by another severe strain. Viability and infectivity of the virus in extracted nucleic acid inoculums was further proved using mechanical transmission method. Tomato plants were pre inoculated or “vaccinated” with the strain containing viral satellite RNA, and then challenge inoculated with the severe strain at different time intervals.  All plants challenged three weeks after vaccination showed nearly complete protection from subsequent infection by the severe strain.  This biological control technology of plant viruses was effective and could be successfully used as biological control agent at the molecular level.

 

Keynote Forum

Sachiko Isobe

Kazusa DNA Research Institute, Japan

Keynote: Genome sequencing in octoploid strawberry and its application to molecular breeding

Time : 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM

Conference Series Plant Genomics 2018 International Conference Keynote Speaker Sachiko Isobe photo
Biography:

Sachiko Isobe started her career as a conventional red clover breeder. Currently she is a plant molecular biologist, lab head of Plant Genomics and Genetics of Kazusa DNA Research Institute. The research group has performed genome sequencing and molecular genetics including DNA marker development, linkage map construction, QTL identification and marker assisted selection. More than 30 model and crop species have been targeted such as strawberry, sweetpotato, tomato, Lotus japonicus, groundnut, and clovers. Of these, strawberry is one of the main species, and comprehensive analysis has been performed such as genome sequencing, RNA-Seq and Genomic Selection.

 

Abstract:

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) was artificially generated in the 16th century Europe by crossing between two octoploid species, F. chiloensis and F. virginiana. It is cultivated and consumed entire the world. Strawberry is an allo-polyploidy species  (2n = 8X = 56) with an estimated genome size of 1C = 708–720 Mb. The complex structure of the polyploid genome has inhibited advances in genomics and genetic analysis We have sequenced a Japanese variety ‘‘Reikou’ with Illumina platform, and constructed subgenome-specific reference sequences by using DenovoMAGIC. A total of 62 (31 × 2 haplotypes) pseudomolecules were developed based on the linkage map in a total length of 1,125 Mb. The large structure differences among the sub-genomes were identified by comparison with the F. vesca genome. By using the constructed pseudomolecules, we have performed RNA-Seq analysis in fruit color. Genomic selection for fruit hardiness has also performed with the four strawberry breeding stations, i.e., National Agricultural Research Organization, Tochigi prefecture, Fukuoka prefecture and Chiba prefecture. The conventional GS requires genome wide genotyping for the both training and breeding populations. To decrease the cost and time for genotyping in the breeding population, we used Ensemble-based Genetic and Genomic Search (EGGS) that enable to make a model with less number of DNA markers. Genomic, genetic analysis and molecular breeding in polyploidy species is still difficult, however, the advance of NGS technologies as well as novel approaches for data analysis has made the challenge possible.

 

  • Plant Genome Science | Agricultural Science | Plant Proteomics | Plant Reproduction | Plant Science | Horticulture | Molecular Plant Breeding |
Speaker

Chair

Magdy Montasser

University of Biological Science, Kuwait

Speaker

Co-Chair

Lerma SJ. Maldia

University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippines

Session Introduction

Alexander Vainstein

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

Title: Specialized metabolic pathways: cues controlling floral scent and color production

Time : 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Speaker
Biography:

Alexander Vainstein is the Incumbent of the Wolfson Family Chair in Floriculture and served as a Visiting Professor at USDA and SUNY. He has published more than 140 scientific papers and books, developed 6 patents and has served as the Head of the Hebrew University Graduate Horticulture Program, Graduate Plant Sciences Program and Graduate Biotechnology Program. He was also the Head of The Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, Hebrew University of Jerusalem and has served as the President of the Israeli Society of Plant Sciences.

 

Abstract:

Odor and pigmentation play a prominent role in the location and selection of flowers by insects and hence in the successful production of farmed foods, as well as in maintaining ecological systems. In terms of commercial appeal, scent and color are also extremely important in the food and floriculture industries. Using virus-induced gene silencing/editing and expression approaches for large-scale identification of floral scent genes, we identified and characterized petunia flower-specific regulatory genes named Emission of Benzenoids (EOBs). Their involvement in the biosynthetic cascade leading to the production/emission of floral scent bouquets was detailed. We further demonstrated that PH4, a MYB gene that determines final petal hue through pH homeostasis in the early stages of flower development, is essential for emission, but not production, of the floral volatile bouquet in mature flowers. We also revealed that petunia flowers produce significant amounts of sugar-conjugated scent compounds with a unique diel accumulation pattern that are further catabolized in parallel to scent emission. These phenylpropanoid glycosides are stored in the vacuoles of petunia flowers, providing first evidence of subcellular compartmentalization of scent compounds. We revealed that gibberellin (GA) acts as a developmental cue regulating floral scent production in petunia. GA-dependent timing of the sequential activation of different branches of the phenylpropanoid pathway, products of which are responsible for either color or scent; both necessary for pollinator attraction; may represent an intriguing machinery developed by plants to enable intimate crosstalk between floral pollination syndromes. Integrating knowledge of the structural and regulatory genes involved in floral scent production with the mechanism regulating metabolic flow enabled us to rationally manipulate the pathway toward enhanced production of floral scent compounds and/or pigmentation. Olfactory assay revealed that bees and humans can distinguish the scent of genetically enhanced flowers.

 

Speaker
Biography:

Lerma S J Maldia has expertise in tree population genetics and molecular phylogenetics and phylogeography. She has recently established the Forest Genomics Laboratory of the College of Forestry and Natural Resources of UPLB. Currently, she is leading a number of similar genetic studies on various indigenous high value forest trees for their genetic conservation and sustainable utilization.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: In the Philippines, industrial tree plantations have the largest share to the country’s current total log production. Gmelina arborea and Falcataria moluccana (Paraserianthes falcataria) are two commercially important plantation species in the northern and southern regions of the Philippines, respectively. But, often the quantity and quality of wood of the species are low and poor. Field testing of planting materials from various plantations has recently been established to determine significant variation in important traits, with aims to select the best possible source(s). However, the lack of information on the origins or seed sources of the introduced materials has posed major limitation that could assist with the selection of materials for economical and faster improved production.
 
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: This study assessed the genetic diversity and ascertained the genetic structure of all currently available propagated materials of the two species. The usefulness of molecular markers to assess genetic variation especially in recurrently planted populations has been well demonstrated and in this study the microsatellite markers developed for each species were used.
 
Findings:  Based on structure analysis, without prior information on the location of individuals, the optimum genetic clusters (K) of Gmelina arborea and Falcataria moluccana are four and two, respectively. However, the distribution of the genetic clusters in each species does not correspond to a specific or unique sampling location but was randomly distributed in generally all sampling locations. Compared to the natural populations of Gmelina arborea, there was notable (20-30%) decreased in genetic diversity in the materials available in the Philippines, although modest divergence was found among clusters. For Falcataria moluccana, high genetic variation within-but low differentiation between clusters was observed.
 
Conclusion & Significance: Genetic diversity and structure of forest tree plantations is a foremost crucial concern to consider in tree breeding and improvement as genetic gain increases with high genetic variation in a species. Therefore, the results of this study should be useful as baseline information for tree breeding and improvement of these species.

Beng-Kah Song

School of Science, Monash University, Malaysia

Title: When East meets West: the origins and spread of weedy rice in Southeast Asia

Time : 01:30 PM - 02:00 PM

Speaker
Biography:

Song Beng Kah has completed his PhD in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and joined Monash University Malaysia as a Lecturer in Genetics. He was an Honorary Research Scientist at the Washington University in St. Louis, USA, researching population genetics and evolution of rice (2011-2013, 2016). In 2014, he was promoted to Senior Lecturer. He has teaching and research responsibilities in genomics and molecular genetics. His research has won a Gold Medal at the University Malaysia Sabah Research Competition, 2013. His current research investigates the development of genome-wide SNPs for assessment of genetic structure and evolutionary history of Malaysian and Southeast Asian weedy rice. He serves a number of societies including the Genetics Society of Malaysia and the Malaysian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Weedy rice is a conspecific form of cultivated rice (Oryza sativa) that infests the rice fields and causes severe production loss worldwide. There has been on-going study of weedy rice in the western hemisphere and East Asia, but less in the Southeast Asian regions.
 
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Using a combined analysis of 24 neutral Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) loci, four domestication genes (sh4, Bh4, Rc, and An-1 controlling seed shattering, hull color, pericarp color and awn development, respectively), 45,000 genotyping-by-sequencing-derived SNPs and whole genome sequences, we examined the complex evolutionary dynamics and origins of weedy rice in Southeast Asia.
 
Results & Conclusion: Comparative analysis between these genotypic datasets from weedy rice collected from Southeast Asian (SEA) countries and regions where no reproductively compatible wild Oryza species occur (US and South Korea) revealed independent evolutionary origins for SEA weeds and US-Korean strains. Wild-to-weed gene flow was observed in SEA weed populations, including adaptive introgression of domestication alleles, whereas de-domestication of cultivated rice is the major cause of weedy rice emergence in regions without wild rice. In Malaysia, modern cultivars played a prominent role in the origin and recent proliferation of weedy rice, with wild rice introgression, although less predominant than in other SEA countries, nonetheless contributing to the weed origin. Genome-wide assessment of nucleotide diversity further demonstrated that Thai and Malaysian weedy strains harbored very few of genomic regions that were supposed to undergo selection and overlapped among these weedy rice strains. Our study provides a genome-wide view of origin and adaptive evolution of weedy rice strains which could shed light on further molecular breeding of cultivated rice. It is also be useful for advising farmers appropriately in strategies for controlling the spread of weedy rice.

 

Speaker
Biography:

Martin Koudela – Assistant professor, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic is responsible for subjects dealing with the production of vegetables and edible/medicinal mushrooms; member of International Society of Horticultural Science and the editorial board of the journal Horticultural Science; study stays: Forschungsanstalt Geisenheim, Germany (2000), Bodenkultur Universität Wien, Austria (2003); expertise: topics – optimization of biotic and abiotic factors influencing the production and yield of vegetables, production of edible and medicinal mushrooms on non-traditional and alternatively treated substrates; author and co-author of 38 scientific papers, numerous presentations at scientific conferences, popular papers dealing with horticulture.

 

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Fusarium wilt is an important disease of cruciferous vegetables caused by soil phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans (Foc). The dangerous character of the pathogen stems from its persistence in the soil and the ability to attack plants at any stage of its development. The aim was to evaluate the effect of temperature and pH on the development of Foc and assess differences between genotypes (breeding line and cultivar) linked with the sensitivity to Fusarium wilt.
 
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Temperature is one of the factors that can significantly influence the occurrence of Fusarium wilt. At temperatures below 17 °C, the rate of the disease is low and explains a lower risk of the occurrence of the disease in the summer period. The optimum temperature and pH for the development of Foc disease are between 20-25 °C (some sources mentioning even a range of 24-29 °C) and pH 8, respectively. As the curative treatment by fungicides is not efficient, the effective protection against this disease remains a prevention consisting in the selection of a suitable cultivar(s) resistant to the disease. In the experiments conducted at the Czech Agriculture University Prague in 2017, the effect of temperature and pH on the growth of Foc mycelium was measured. The differences between breeding lines and cultivars concerning the sensitivity to Fusarium wilt after inoculation with Foc were determined. The visual symptoms of the attack by Foc were confirmed by PCR using specific markers.
 
Findings: The experiments documented that the most intense growth of Foc was observed at 24 °C. The intensity of Foc development under in vitro conditions corresponded to the intensity of the attack in a situation when the conventional growing substrate was used at a temperature of 24/22 °C and the attack by the fungus resulted in a higher mortality of plants. Using various pH values, small differences in the mycelial colony growth were found. The lowest growth rate of the phytopathogen was observed at pH 5. The sensitivity of a total of 37 varieties and lines of head cabbage against Foc were tested. The following lines were claimed to be resistant to Foc: DC6, MX11, SU2/15, SU10/15. On the other hand, the lines sensitive to Foc included: DS, DP25, HO2 and RM.
 
Conclusion & Significance: Selection of the agrotechnical term with temperatures outside the optimum range for the growth of Foc can help eliminate the development of the phytopathogen to some extent. On the other hand, the regulation of soil pH is not an efficient tool to control the development of the pathogen since cruciferous vegetables require a much higher pH, compared to the pH values that inhibit the growth of Foc. Preliminary results suggested the existence of significant differences in resistance to Fusarium wilt between various breeding lines and cultivars.

 

Speaker
Biography:

Abstract:

Abaca (Musa textilis Nee) is susceptible to Abaca Bunchy Top Virus (ABTV). An Abaca BC2 hybrid derived from a cross between abaca variety Abuab and the ABTV resistant donor parent Pacol (M. balbisiana), was observed to be resistant to ABTV. The molecular mechanism underlying ABTV disease resistance in the hybrid has not been elucidated. Currently, transcriptomic data are available to understand the molecular mechanism of resistance of the abaca BC2 hybrid to ABTV. RNA Seq transcriptome data were obtained from the inner whorl of the pseudostems of Abuab, pacol, BC2-A2 non-inoculated, BC2-A2 two weeks post inoculated and BC2-A2 four weeks post inoculated with ABTV. Transcriptome were assembled using CLC Bio Genomics Workbench based on reference-guided assembly with CDS of M. acuminate and M. balbisiana. There are 349 Differentially Expressed (DEGs), 87 of which were putatively classified as defense response genes. These include: Four Pattern Triggered Immunity (PTI), signal receptor genes/Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs), 35 Effector Triggered Immunity (ETI)-based effector genes or R genes; four photosynthetic genes, two ER resident chaperones involved in Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) and ER-mediated program cell death, two genes involved in molecular Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS), four regulatory receptors and 31 ABTV responsive transcription factors. It was also observed that some genes have similar patterns of expression in the BC2 hybrid and the donor parent, Pacol. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis validated the RNA-Seq expression results for six genes which include Germin-Like Protein (GLP3), Glutathione S-Transferase F11 (GST), Heat Shock Coat Protein 70-1 (HSCP 70-1), Lipid Transfer Protein (LTP3), Senescence Associated Gene (SAG20) and Thioredoxin Superfamily Protein (TXN). This is the first report on the possible complex molecular mechanisms involved in antiviral defense response in Musa textilis Nee

Speaker
Biography:

Federico Martinelli has worked as an Assistant Professor of Plant Genetics in The Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy (2011). He was the Founder of a research company named Environmental Heredity and Evolution Consulting (2016). He has also been a Visiting Professor to the University of California, Davis, USA in July 2017. His research activity is focused on the discovery of key regulatory mechanisms in plant stress biology.

Abstract:

RNA-Seq analysis is a strong tool to gain insight into the molecular responses to biotic stresses in plants. Transcriptomic studies are usually conducted in a singular time, they do not provide any repetition across different seasons and frequently they are performed in field conditions where environmental variability is high and disturbing factors are frequently present. The identification of up or down-regulated genes is often not enough to draw meaningful biological conclusions because it is hard to identify which gene plays a key role in specific signaling networks in host responses. This issue leads to high difficulties in deriving conclusive models for understanding disease symptomatology. For these reasons, more meta-analysis is needed to validate singular transcriptomic works with other similar studies performed with same research purposes. Meta-analysis of transcriptomic data identifies commonalities and differences between differentially regulated gene lists and allows screen which genes are key players in gene-gene and protein-protein interaction networks. These analyses allow delivering important information on how a specific environmental factor affects plant molecular responses and how plants activate general stress responses to environmental stresses. An early stress condition in plants is like the inflammatory response occurring in animals in response to pathogen-associated factors. The objective of this work is to identify specific and common molecular features (genes, proteins, gene sets and pathways) linked to both abiotic and biotic stress resistances among key crops. The identification of common genes between different biotic stress allow to gain insight into these general responses and help the diagnosis of an early “stress state” of the plants. These analyses help in monitoring stressed plants to start early specific management procedures for each disease or disorder.

  • Stress Signaling in Plants | Plant Nutritional Genomics | Plant Bioinformatics | Plant Genotyping | Crop Improvement | Plant Virology | Rice genomics
Speaker

Chair

Rachel Swee-Suak Ko

Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Taiwan

Speaker

Co-Chair

Zhang Daoyuan

Xinjiang institute of Ecology and Geography, the CAS, China

Session Introduction

Lerma S J Maldia

University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippines

Title: Application of genetic diversity and structure data in forest restoration: The case of native white oaks (Quercus) in Japan

Time : 11:20 AM - 11:50 AM

Speaker
Biography:

Lerma S J Maldia has expertise in tree population genetics and molecular phylogenetics and phylogeography. Through support funds from various government agencies and the university, she has recently established the Forest Genomics Laboratory of the College of Forestry and Natural Resources of UPLB, in support to the vision of competitive research and excellent instruction of the university. Currently, she is leading a number of similar genetic studies on various indigenous high value forest trees for their genetic conservation and sustainable utilization.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Oaks are ecologically important components of broadleaved temperate forests of Japan. They are common planting species for forest restoration, greening programs and establishment of forest parks. However, genetic risk involved in planting without knowledge of the origins of plant materials has been a concern over these activities. Studies showed that introduction of foreign genotypes into new environment during restoration could result to loss of local adaptation, mortality due to maladaptation, genetic pollution or pose threats to regional biodiversity.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: To offset these risks, establishing transfer (or seed) zones or regions within which planting stocks can be moved with least or no negative effects on the average fitness of population must be carefully considered. Seed zoning have generally used edaphic and climatic data, ecophysiological data, and/or results of provenance tests. Recently, the utility of geographic patterns of genetic variations revealed by molecular markers for zoning in restoration has been recognized. In this study we determined the genetic variations at nuclear and chloroplast genomes of native white oaks species (Genus Quercus, Section Prinus; Q. aliena, Q. crispula, and Q. serrata), including some of their variants in Japan, in order to recommend genetic guidelines for transfer of planting materials for these oaks species for restoration.

Findings: The genetic structure and distribution of chloroplast haplotypes of the studied oaks species displayed generally distinct geographic genetic structures of northern and southern populations, following the north-south lineages of other deciduous broadleaved species in Japan, but with generally limited within-population diversity in northern populations. On one hand, the signals of genetic structure of nuclear genome seemed related to their range-wide distributions. The northsouth differentiation at nuclear genome was very weak for the widely distributed Q. serrata but very strong for the sparsely distributed Q. aliena and relatively fragmented in the south Q. crispula.

Conclusion & Significance: The sharp north-south difference in genetic backgrounds at two genomes suggests completely differentiated gene pools for these two large genetic populations, and thus, can be considered genetically distinct transferrable zones for planting stocks of Q. aliena and Q. crispula. Plant materials for restoration, therefore, should be restrictively sourced from and transplanted within each transfer zone and inter-planting between zones must be avoided.

Karl BW Svatos

School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University,Australia.School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University,Australia.

Title: Big data GPU/CPU kernalisation pipeline for API based quantitative genetic assessments in fieldbased drone research

Time : 11:50 AM - 12:20 PM

Speaker
Biography:

Karl Svatos is a consultant for Scientific Aerospace; (autonomous drone and software development company), and innovation project manager for Pivotel Satellite;(IoT service provider throughout Australia and South East Asia). Karl specilalises in big data science, formatting, encryption, machine learning and custom kernel OS development. He achieved the Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours in 2008 from the University of Western Australia (UWA). After brief stints in ministerial portfolios he turned his focus to environmental science specialising in ‘big data’ water modelling of nutrient fate scenarios. In 2010 he completed his Master’s Degree at UWA in environmental science. More recently he discovered his passion in genetics and in investigating the role that environmental processes drive and contribute to the formation of heritable traits via horizontal gene transfer, rapid mutation and natural selection. He has been involved in the formulation of Hidden Markov Chains (HMV’s) through Gibb’s sampling using the Monte Carlo algorithm analysis of probability method. I like researching about the history of the command line and computer languages like FORTRAN, B, C, Python and R, and Turing machines from a “Prisoner’s Dilemma POV. Karl started his PhD in 2016.

 

Abstract:

The transition away from legacy BIOS firmware architectures provides an opportunity to increase the accuracy of large genomics platforms through advanced chipsets integrated with custom-built 4G/LTE broadcast base-stations that currently enable high speed data compression in remote locations. How these devices integrate phenotype data for selection of traits with respect to environmental variation in field trials requires efficient data capture, storage and real time GPU virtualisation of all connected devices. We propose a method utilizing unmanned drones with precision instrumentation for pre-processing and offline data capture systems with pre-flashed custom ROMs for phenotypic measurement based on Markov chains and probability functions making use of Gibb's sampling. Environmental datasets such as topography maps, soil type, and climate data is cross-referenced to accurately and efficiently select genetically in the field via the onboard CPU/ GPU cluster and cloudbased API’s (solid state SSH super-computer CPU/GPU nuc SSH connection) kernel whilst online. Ultimately computation compression ratios, CPU and GPU facilitation of metascopic data clusters and embedded machine states, will determine much of the way forward in this space. However, the logistics required to “train” a drone via a neural network machine learning pipeline to accurately assess genotype in the field or, the management approach whether that be the desired outcome is now a reality. This research provides the preliminary pipeline using barley and yield, maturity, canopy-temperature, NDVI and stomata physiology as the plant characteristics to deliver a proof of concept .

 

  • POSTER PRESENTATION
Location: Osaka, Japan

Session Introduction

Cenek Novotny

Institute of Microbiology of the CAS, Czech Republic

Title: Antagonistic effect of bacteria and fungi on Fusarium wilt pathogen

Time : 01:30 PM - 03:00 PM

Biography:

Cenek Novotny is an Associate Professor, has his expertise in the fields of physiology and biochemistry of bacteria, yeasts, ligninolytic basidiomycetes and bacterial and fungal phytopathogens. His research included the investigation of biofilms of bacteria and fungi, microbial interactions in mixed biofilms, antagonisms between microorganisms and biodegradation of recalcitrant organopollutants in water and soil. He is currently working at the Institute of Microbiology, CAS, Prague and the University of Ostrava, Czech Republic. He has coordinated five Czech and 14 international research projects and published 68 papers.

Abstract:

Biocontrol agents represent an alternative to chemicals in the management of fungal crop diseases. A wide range of microorganisms can be used as biocontrol agents, mainly bacterial and fungal isolates and the biological control results from many types of interactions between organisms. In our study, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. conglutinans was confronted with three different biocontrol agents, Trichoderma harzianum, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in dual cultures. Bioassays and metabolites produced in the microbial interactions were screened by a Matrix-Assisted, Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. T. harzianum exhibited the strongest inhibition of mycelial growth of F. oxysporum by overgrowing the pathogen in the later stages of co-cultivation. The metabolite profiles obtained in the case of T. harzianum and B. amyloliquefaciens were the result of an attack on the F. oxysporum mycelium by the antagonists by means of membrane-attacking peptaibols and a number of antimicrobial lipopeptides and siderophores, respectively. The biocontrol activity of T. harzianum and B. amyloliquefaciens consisted in their ability to suppress the production of mycotoxin beauvericin by F. oxysporum. In the case of P. aeruginosa, siderophores pyoverdine E/D and two rhamnolipids were produced as major bacterial metabolites. Under the conditions of a co-culture with F. oxysporum the production of rhamnolipides by the bacterium was blocked by the action of the fungal phytopathogen. The biocontrol of F. oxysporum by P. aeruginosa was weaker that those by T. harzianum and B. amyloliquefaciens. 

Biography:

Cheol Soo Kim is a Faculty Member in the Department of Plant Biotechnology at the Chonnam National University of South Korea. He focuses on researching the molecular genetic mechanisms underlying plant responses to adverse environments such as osmotic stress, drought and biotic stress. His work has led to the identification of genes for modifying the responses of crops to environmental stresses, which will ultimately lead to major contributions to agriculture and the environment.

Abstract:

Proline (Pro) metabolism is important for environmental responses, plant development and growth. However, the mechanism of Pro in abiotic and biotic stress processes is unclear. Using the atrzf1 (Arabidopsis thaliana RING zinc finger 1) mutant as a parental line for T-DNA tagging mutagenesis, we identified a suppressor mutant, designated proline content alterative 13 (pca13) that suppressed the insensitivity of atrzf1 to abiotic stresses during early seedling growth. Pro content of pca13 was lower than in atrzf1, while the complementary lines were less sensitive to Abscisic Acid (ABA) and abiotic stresses compared to WT. Through the TAIL-PCR of pca13, it was shown that T-DNA inserted at site chromosome 2 which encodes cell wall enzyme. Under condition of biotic stress, pathogen resistance was significantly higher in pca13 compared to WT and atrzf1. Moreover, pca13 mutant was significantly higher in several important drought parameters including malondialdehyde level, ion leakage and water loss. The fluorescence signal of the green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged PCA13 was quite strong in the cell wall of the root cells of the transgenic seedlings. Additionally, the PCA13 promoter-β-glucuronidase (GUS) construct revealed substantial gene expression in the root tissues and apical meristem. Collectively, these findings prove that pca13 acts as a suppressor mutant of atrzf1 in the abiotic and biotic stress responses through the Pro metabolism. 

Jong-Pil Hong

National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, South Korea

Title: Establishment of the TRV delivery system using Nicotiana benthamiana Cas9 over-expressing plants

Time : 01:30 PM - 03:00 PM

Biography:

Jong-Pil Hong is conducting the research on the development of molecular marker in various vegetables. He works at the National Horticultural Science Institute in South Korea, and now He studies about genome editing technology using tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) and tomato (Micro-tom) and development of vaccine protein using Chinese cabbage.

Abstract:

Clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPRs)/CRISPR associated (Cas) is currently known as a very powerful genome editing technology, and it is also success in many plants. Here, we first made Cas9 overexpressing tobacco plants through agrobacterium-mediated transformation method. Tobacco Cas9 overexpressing plants confirmed the Cas9 expression level by RT-PCR analysis. PDS (positive control) and eIF4E genes infiltrated in tobacco plants systemically. Expression of PDS and eIF4E confirmed the time course (0, 6, 24, 48, 72 hrs) by RT-PCR analysis. We are produced the new tobacco plants using transient expressing leaf through tissue culture, and the seeds are harvested and then selected from the selective germination medium (with antibiotic). If these results are successful, the TRV (Tobacco Rattle Virus) delivery system will be able to be very efficiently in many plant species. 

Hye-Eun Lee

National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, South Korea

Title: Expression analysis of Chinese cabbage over-expressed StEREBP subjected to various hormones and stresses

Time : 01:30 PM - 03:00 PM

Biography:

Hye-Eun Lee is conducting the research on the development of molecular marker in various vegetables. She works at the National Horticultural Science Institute in South Korea, and now She studies about analysis of gene expression using Chinese cabbage and construction of genetic population and linkage genetic map related to agronomic traits in onion

Abstract:

Ethylene responsive element binding protein (EREBP) is a major group of the AP2/ERF family and plays significant roles in the regulation of abiotic and biotic stress responses. StEREBP is cloned from potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and characterized to response in abiotic stress and hormone regulation. In this research, we constructed Chinese cabbage StEREBP overexpressing plants using the Agrobacterium-mediated  transformation. Six transgenic plants are confirmed the T-DNA insertion by Southern blot analysis and RT-PCR analysis. Phenotype of transgenic plants is not different compared with control plant. The reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) showed that cold stress and ABA related genes are increased but ethylene related genes are decreased in StEREBP overexpressing Chinese cabbage plants. The StEREBP responded to abiotic factors and hormones suggested that they possibly had diverse roles in stress and hormone regulation of Chinese cabbage.

Biography:

Rimi Yamaguchi has completed both Master and Bachelor of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences in 2017 and in 2015, respectively from Kyushu University, Japan.

Abstract:

Pine Wilt Disease (PWD) caused by the Pine Wood Nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is one of the most serious forest disease in East Asia and Europe. Japanese black pine Pinus thunbergii is highly susceptible to PWD and therefore resistant trees have been selected to cope with this disease. Several studies have assessed the histological responses or transcriptional changes in resistant and susceptible trees. However, the underlying mechanism of resistance of pine is still not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to identify mechanisms involved in the resistance of pine from a perspective of the host-pathogen relationships. Here, we identified multiplication of PWN in two resistant and one susceptible tree varieties inoculated PWN and then performed the dual RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis. The susceptible trees showed wilting of leaves at 7 days post inoculations (dpi), and the number of PWN in trees was higher in the susceptible trees than the resistant trees at 14 dpi. RNA-seq performed on six cDNA libraries from two resistant trees and one susceptible tree at 1 and 3 dpi. A total number of 277,503,322 read pairs obtained from all cDNA libraries were mapped to the PWN genome. The percentages of reads mapped to PWN genome ranged from 0.11 to 0.36%, which indicated that we could reveal gene expressions of both hosts and pathogens simultaneously. Their expression profiles suggest that there is a difference in mechanism of resistance between resistant tree varieties against infection of PWN.

Van Tinh Nguyen

Chonnam National University, South Korea

Title: atsmr17 modulates glucose responses through cysteine- and AMP-dependent manner in Arabidopsis

Time : 01:30 PM - 03:00 PM

Biography:

Van Tinh Nguyen is currently pursuing PhD in Department of Applied Biology of Chonnam National University, South Korea. His major is plant genomics functional researches which involved in abiotic stress.

Abstract:

Cysteine (Cys) and AMP are products of sulfate metabolism. Cys is an essential amino acid for protein and peptide synthesis or reduced sulfur donor for biosynthesis of methionine, coenzyme or cofactor, while AMP (Adenosine Monophosphate) is a monomer in the production of RNA and joins in many metabolism processes. However, whether theirs metabolism involved in abiotic stress adaptation in Arabidopsis remains largely unclear. Here, we identified atsmr17 (Arabidopsis thaliana sulfate metabolism related 17), a double mutant, that suppressed the insensitively of the parental line atrzf1 (Arabidopsis thaliana ring zinc finger 1) to glucose (Glc) treatment via reducing Cys and AMP accumulations. Under high Glc condition, the level of atsmr17 was significant induced. Losing function of atsmr17 leads to decrease the physiological phenotype including the germination rate, cotyledon greening, root and shoot differentiation. Interestingly, Glc response differently exhibited between root and shoot depend on atsmr17 levels. Besides, qPCR analysis of the genes involved in primary sulfate pathway exhibited significantly lower in atsmr17 leads to reduced 60% and 80% Cys contents compare to WT and atrzf1, respectively. Moreover, the atsmr17-overexpressing line displayed hyper-insensitive under high Glc concentration treatment manifested by the stress insensitive parameters and also by increased the proline, Cys, and AMP contents. Noticeably, apply exogenous Cys and AMP lead to rescue the phenotype of atsmr17 under high Glc treatment. Taken together, our results indicate that atSMR17 plays a role in high Glc response through modulating the sulfate metabolism in which related to Cys and AMP accumulations in Arabidopsis.

Biography:

Ji-Hee Min is currently pursuing her PhD in Applied Biology at Chonnam National University, South Korea under the direction of Professor Cheol Soo Kim. She is interested in plant stress responses via ubiquitination system which determine protein stability or degradation. Her research was concentrated upon defining the role of interactor of E3 ubiquitin ligase Arabidopsis thaliana RING zinc finger 1 (AtRZF1) in the abiotic stress response.

Abstract:

The E3 ligase AtRZF1 is a component of drought-induced proline biosynthesis and drought sensitivity in Arabidopsis. In this study, we found that a novel AtRZF1-Coupling Protein 1 (AtRCP1) interacting with AtRZF1 by using Yeast two-hybrid and GST-pull down assays. Expression of AtRCP1 was strongly induced by Abscisic Acid (ABA), osmotic stress treatments. The green fluorescent protein-AtRCP1 fusion protein is localized in nucleus. Also, AtRCP1 has transcriptional activation activity and contains DNA binding domain indicating this functions as a transcription factor. The atrcp1 RNAi mutants were less sensitive to osmotic stress than the wild-type, whereas transgenic plants overexpressing AtRCP1 were hypersensitive during early seedling development, indicating AtRCP1 negatively regulates drought-mediated signaling. The expression levels of the stress markers or proline metabolism genes were altered both in AtRCP1 over expressing and knockdown plants. Biochemical study through ubiquitin binding assay and ubiquitination assay implied that UBA domain in AtRCP1 is required for binding of Ub chains and increase of the amount of ubiquitinated AtRZF1. Moreover, genetic studies showed that the AtRZF1 gene could rescue the ABA- and osmotic-insensitive phenotype of atrcp1 RNAi mutant suggesting E3 ubiquitin ligase AtRZF1 is epistatic to AtRCP1 in osmotic stress signaling. Our findings provide new insight into the mechanism by which water deficit controls proline accumulation and drought response in Arabidopsis.

Biography:

Ga Yun Jeong is fourth year student in Department of Applied biology, Chonnam National University of South Korea. She is studying in plant biotechnology research at the Cheol Soo Kim’s lab. She is interested in ABA and dehydration stress in Arabidopsis.

Abstract:

The phytohormone Abscisic Acid (ABA) is the major component of abiotic stress tolerance in plants and coordinates a complex regulatory network enabling plants to cope with the stress. The precise roles of the homeodomain leucine zipper family of transcription regulator in plant stress are largely unclear. Here, we characterize the biological function of the AtHLZ1 Arabidopsis thaliana homeodomain leucine zipper-type: In ABA and dehydration responses. The expression of AtHLZ1 was strongly induced by ABA and osmotic stress. AtHLZ1 RNAi lines resulted in increased sensitivity to ABA and dehydration stress during seed germination and the cotyledon greening process. In contrast, The AtHLZ1-overexpressing transgenic plants were less sensitive to ABA and osmotic stress compared to Wild Type (WT). Interestingly, in the presence of ABA, the transcript levels of ABA receptor Pyrabactin Resistance-like 4 (PYL4) and PYL7 genes were enhanced reduction in AtHLZ1- overexpressing transgenic plants rather than in the WT and AtHLZ1 mutant. Thus, AtHLZ1 is involved in ABA and osmotic stress response through the ABA-dependent signaling pathway. The data show that AtHLZ1 is an important regulator in response to both ABA and dehydration stress in Arabidopsis.

Biography:

Ji Hyeon Min is an Assistant Researcher in Cheol Soo Kim’s laboratory at the Chonnam National University in South Korea. He focuses on researching crop development via CRISPR-Cas9 system to increase drought stress tolerance.

Abstract:

Watermelon is a major fruit vegetable around the world. Drought is an abiotic stress factor that affects the productivity and growth of crop plants. To enhance the tolerance of watermelon to drought stress, it is important to isolate stress tolerance-related genes. Recently, we characterized the gene for ubiquitin E3 ligase protein named Lagenaria siceraria RING Zinc Finger 1 (LsRZF1). In Arabidopsis, LsRZF1 is involved in the drought response through the proline metabolism-mediated pathway. In this study, we identified and characterized a watermelon (Citrullus lanatus cv. Gongdae) homolog of LsRZF1, designated GdRZF1. LsRZF1 antisense (lsrzf1) transgenic watermelon lines showed decreased GdRZF1 expression and were in sensitive to drought stress than the wild type. Decreased expression of GdRZF1 was also significantly influential in changes in drought-sensitive parameters including relative water content, ion leakage, chlorophyll content, malondialdehyde levels, proline content and the expression of drought stress responsive genes. Additionally, grafted plants showed more health leaves and larger leaf area as compared with the control during drought condition. These findings results that GdRZF1 is important for water deficit tolerance in watermelon. This is the report of the development by genetic engineering of watermelon tolerance to drought response.

Biography:

Jung In Kim is fourth year student in Department of Applied biology, Chonnam National University of South Korea. She is studying in plant biotechnology researching at the Cheol Soo Kim’s lab. She is interested in ethanol fermentation on anaerobic condition, also her work is related to post-translational modification stage

Abstract:

Ubiquitination is an important process related to the activities of enzymes which occurs in the post-translational modification stage. This process requires for the regulation of divers cellular functional through biological events including the response to hormone, apoptosis and abiotic stress. In this study, we characterized the biology functional of  AtEUL(Arabidopsis thaliana E3 Ubiquitin Ligase 1) in ethanol response. The initial result showed that, the mRNA level of AtEUL1 was dramatically induced by ethanol exogenous application. The transgenic plants overexpressing AtEUL1 were hypersensitive to ethanol response than wild-type during dark-grown seedling growth, whereas the ateul1 mutant was hypersensitive, indicating that AtEUL1 negatively regulates ethanol-mediated response of early dark-grown seedling growth. Additionally, the ateul1 mutant was significantly influential in ethanol sensitive parameters including hypocotyl length and the expression of ethanol metabolic genes. The taken together, the result suggests that AtEUL1, a ligase E3 enzyme, plays a function as ethanol regulator response in early seedling dark-grown of Arabidopsis development. 

Do-Sun Kim

National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, South Korea

Title: Development of a high-efficiency anti-cancer fusion vaccine protein production system using Chinese cabbage

Time : 01:30 PM - 03:00 PM

Biography:

Do-Sun Kim has her expertise in plant transformation and tissue culture in introducing useful traits. She is working at National Institute Horticultural and Herbal Science in South Korea. Also, she is In-Charge of Chief of Vegetable Molecular Breeding Laboratory at the Institute and is active as expert Member at Korean Society for Plant Biotechnology.

Abstract:

The edible vaccine derived from crop is easy to achieve safety and its price is cheap because of the mass production by agriculture system. To acquire edible vaccine fusion protein for colorectal cancer which is a serious disease in worldwide, we used various form of immunoglobulin Fc (IgM and IgA) and J chain. The J chain is expected to induce a fusion protein complex when co-expressed with other immunoglobulins. The Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa), which is a vegetable, oilseed and fodder crop, grown especially in Asia and Europe, was selected to develop  edible vaccine due to the high protein  expression rate. The Agrobacterium transformation method was used to express each protein in the Chinese cabbage. The T0 transformants were acquired successfully. The three transgene (J-chain, EpCAM-IgM and EpCAM-IgA) was confirmed by PCR using gene specific primers. The transformation efficiency was approximately 3%. The crude proteins from T0 plants were extracted and the overexpressed proteins were detected by Western blot analysis. The over-expression of EpCAM-IgM and IgA were confirmed. T1 plants were also selected by hygromycin and its transgene expression was confirmed by immunoblot assay. We tried to develop vaccine fusion protein complex in Chinese cabbage by crossing T1 plants expressing J chain and immunoglobulin protein each. Chinese cabbage T1 plants each expressing EpCAM-IgM and IgA were crossed with the T1 plants expressing J chain. The F1 hybrid plants were acquired and its fusion proteins were confirmed. The fusion proteins were extracted and their expression levels in Chinese cabbage were estimated. The plants generated by this procedure will provide an efficient edible vaccine tool to prevent cancer disease in the near future. 

  • YRF PRESENTATION
Location: Osaka, Japan

Session Introduction

Umme Qulsum

Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Japan

Title: Investigation of tissue-specific alternative splicing of RNA editing related family genes in Arabidopsis thaliana

Time : 03:20 PM - 03:50 PM

Biography:

Umme Qulsum is a Doctoral candidate in School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. She is also affiliated to Department of Botany, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh as an Assistant Professor. Her main interests include research on alternative splicing of RNA editing related family proteins and their effect on RNA editing in plants. She has experimental knowledge in plant molecular biology.

Abstract:

Arabidopsis is the most useful model plants in molecular biology. RNA editing is a post-transcriptional modification of genes that commonly occur in plant plastids and mitochondria. Alternative splicing is a post and co-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. In recent studies, it is found that the PPR family proteins are involved in RNA editing in plants. In flowering plants, not only PPR but also non-PPR proteins like MORF, ORRM and OZ participate in multiple RNA editing events. The PPR–RNA complex is organized into the editosome with several additional non-PPR protein factors. The aim of this study is to find out the frequency and extends of tissue-specific RNA editing events and expression of alternative splicing of these genes and their effect on protein structure and functionality. We collected samples of different tissues of different developmental stages of Arabidopsis. Gene expression analysis and sequencing were performed. I-TASSER was used for protein modulation study. We found editing events in eleven genes out of twelve of PPR family genes and only one genes out of nine of ZNF family genes. We found nine types of RNA editing events these events included possible intra-base transitions: C-to-U, U-to-C, A-to-I, A-to-C, A-to-U, G-to-A, G-to-C, U-to-A and U-to-G in targeted genes. Most of the editing events in seedling and leaf and less in stem tissues. In our study, most of the alternative splicing events were found in seedling and leaf. We also detected seven unannotated and new alternatively spliced isoforms among these five PPR and two ZNF genes that were confirmed by PCR and sequencing. RNA editing machinery may play important role in proteins diversity and functionality thus ultimately affecting plant physiology. This study suggests that tissue-specific expression of different alternatively spliced transcript happen even in different developmental stages. 

Biography:

Subhankar Bera is pursuing his PhD degree on plant science in Osaka Prefecture University. His PhD work is based on small RNA analyses trace the movement of small RNAs. He is building his experience in research and educational institution. He want's to devote and dedicate himself in dynamic and creative academic interest and to utilize his logical sense, analytical power, potentiality and skills those provide steady growth.

Abstract:

Parasitic plants are grown on hosts through haustorial formation to uptake water and nutrients for their survival and growth. During host-parasitic interaction plant endogenous mRNA and proteins also moved bi-directionally through parasitic interface tissue. Recent studies shown that parasitic plant accumulate miRNA in interphase tissue of host-parasitic complex to control/or regulate host gene through secondary siRNA production. However, there is no direct evidence of host-derived small RNAs moved to long distance tissue of parasite. The purpose of this study is to find out commonly shared long-distance moved small RNAs in both host and parasitic plants which may have functional regulation during and after host-parasitic interaction. We design experiments on (Cuscuta japonica-Glycine max) and (Cuscuta campestris-Arabidopsis thaliana) as different species of parasitic plants grow on different family of host plants. Small RNA-seq analyses and comparison of non-parasitic and parasitic tissue of both parasite and host plants showed that several small RNAs are produced from common gene family of hosts moved to long distance tissue of parasitic plant. Similarly, there are some orthologous genes of different parasitic plant species produced small RNAs from and moved to long distance tissues of hosts. Small RNA candidates target common of orthologous hosts genes also. By stem-loop PCR followed by Sanger sequencing validate small RNAs. Long distance movement was proved by cross-species detection of sRNAs. These results suggest that small RNAs are moved in bidirectional manner to control trans-species gene regulation.