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
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
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
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.