Colloquium on Pathogens, to be held November 6-9, 2003 in Key Largo, FL

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The American Society for Microbiology will convene a group of approximately 60 expert scientists for a colloquium November 6-9, 2003, in Key Largo, Florida, to look at pathogen genome sequencing-related issues in the context of the total set of fully sequenced genomes to date. The scope of the colloquium will include viruses, bacteria, and fungi responsible for pathogenesis in plants, animals, and humans. The colloquium will begin with an initial overview session including one or two case studies highlighting the value of genome sequence information, leading into a discussion of lessons and a formal set of ideas about where the field should go. Smaller working groups of participants will then meet to discuss questions that the steering committee has developed ahead of time. Some of the issues to be discussed include the current status of genome sequencing efforts on pathogens and closely related species, identifying specific criteria that define a pathogen, and new technologies to enhance the collection of sequence data. On the final day of the colloquium, all the working groups will reconvene in a general session to share their group reports, to discuss any issues raised, and to develop their recommendations for future scientific efforts. A professional science writer, working closely with the steering committee, will develop a draft report for review by the colloquium participants. It will provide a background briefing based on the colloquium presentations and a set of recommendations for further scientific endeavors in the field. The report will be developed in print and electronic formats.