Conference: Systems Microbiology: Beyond Microbial Genomics, to be held in Portland, Oregon on June 2004

越来越多的微生物的基因组序列的可用性导致了生物学的革命，并使生物学家能够研究微生物对各种因素的全球反应，包括不断变化的外部环境，信号分子以及遗传信息从其邻居的横向转移。 用于测量整体基因表达和整个细胞蛋白质组的技术&&除了其它新颖的、高通量的测量外，作为功能基因组学研究工作的一部分，正越来越多地应用于测序的微生物。当这些技术的结果被分析并整合到计算模型中时，揭示了细胞中复杂的调控和代谢网络以及以前未表征的基因和信号转导通路的功能。随着这项研究的发展和新技术的开发，将获得对微生物种群和群落功能的进一步了解，并将作为基因组序列功能预测的基础。虽然这些技术为生物学研究提供了巨大的希望，但最终用户必须认识到进一步发展的重要限制和机会。这次由美国微生物学学会（AAM）召集的座谈会将继续2000年AAM报告#8220;微生物基因组：生命蓝图，#8221; * 的工作。本次研讨会的重点将是如何科学地利用微生物基因组学的进步和对单个微生物和微生物群落的功能性理解的进展。我们计划于2004年6月4日至6日在俄勒冈州的波特兰召开这次讨论会。学术讨论会的参与者将讨论该领域的发展方向，并确定这项研究的科学机遇，挑战和好处。一个重要方面将是查明为推动这一领域的工作而必须解决的资源和技术差距。讨论会的结果将在一份报告中发表&，并广为散发&。包括科学界、资助机构和教育工作者在内的各种听众都将对此感兴趣。将邀请35-40名科学家参加这次讨论会。美国微生物学会将为与会者提供差旅支持，包括机票、地面交通、现场住宿和膳食以及与出席有关的其他费用。目前正在向联邦机构、国际团体、基金会和企业部门寻求资金，以抵消这些费用。

The availability of genome sequence for an increasing number of microorganisms is resulting in a revolution in biology and enabling biologists to study global responses of microorganisms to a variety of factors, including changing external environment, signaling molecules, and the lateral transfer of genetic information from their neighbors. Technologies for measuring global gene expression and the entire cellular proteincomplement—or proteome—in addition to other novel, high-throughput measurements, are increasingly being applied to sequenced microorganisms as part of functional genomics research efforts. The results from these technologies, when analyzed and integrated into computational models, are revealing complex regulatory and metabolic networks in cells and the functions of previously uncharacterized genes and signal transduction pathways. As this research evolves and new technologies are developed, further insights into the function of microbial populations and communities will be gained and will serve as a basis for functional predictions from genome sequences. Although these technologies offer great promise for biology research, there are also important limitations and opportunities for further developments that must be recognized by end users.This colloquium, convened by the American Academy of Microbiology (AAM), will pick up where the 2000 AAM report, “Microbial Genomes: Blueprints for Life, ” * left off. The focus of this colloquium will be on how to capitalize scientifically on the advances in microbial genomics and progress towards a functional understanding of individual microorganisms and microbial communities. We plan to convene this colloquium June 4-6, 2004, in Portland, Oregon. Colloquium participants will discuss where the field is heading and identify scientific opportunities, challenges, and benefits of this research. An important aspect will be the identification of resource and technology gaps that must be addressed in order to advance the field. The results of the colloquium will be published in a report— widely disseminated—that will be of interest to a diverse audience, including the scientific community, funding agencies, and educators.A group of 35-40 scientists will be invited to participate in this colloquium. The American Academy of Microbiology will provide travel support for the participants, including airfare, ground transportation, on-site lodging and meals, and other expenses related to attendance. The funds are being sought from federal agencies, international groups, foundations, and the corporate sector to offset these expenses.