BARD workshop on Microbial virulence determinants and plant innate immunity: Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel, February 5th-9th, 2012

研讨会的目的是促进研究微生物病原体和植物免疫系统之间相互作用的主要科学家之间的信息交流。与会者将讨论与影响农业中植物病害的分子决定因素有关的两个基本问题：1)抑制病原菌生长的关键植物免疫途径是什么，以及它们是如何调节的？2)病原菌抑制植物免疫以在植物中持续存在的机制是什么？来自美国、以色列、欧洲和中国的科学家将参加研讨会，他们使用不同的工具和方法来研究植物与微生物的相互作用。研讨会将提供一个互动平台，分享技术，建立合作，并开发创新技术，以改善植物健康、生产力和安全。与会者将：(1)严格审查该领域的研究和技术现状；(2)解决美国和以色列旨在提高植物抗病能力的生物技术对农业的影响；(3)评估生物技术并为该领域未来的研究设定优先事项；以及(4)组建综合团队，开发在该领域对抗植物病原体的新型研究计划。研讨会将推进早期细胞生物学和信号转导事件的发现，这些事件涵盖了模型宿主和自然宿主中的植物免疫反应。研讨会的设计将为与会者提供一种独特的形式，以批判性地评估阻碍研究进展的挑战和障碍。学生将是积极的参与者。他们将从顶尖科学家那里获得知识和反馈，同时为未来的工作提供新的视角。一些与会者与从事农业技术开发的公司有联系。学生接触商业模式的基础设施和目标将对他们在行业相关工作中的职业发展具有教育意义。特别注意促进妇女和在这一领域积极工作的少数群体的参与。

The objective of the workshop is to facilitate the exchange of information among leading scientists investigating the interplay between microbial pathogens and the plant immune system. The participants will address two fundamental questions pertaining to the molecular determinants that impact plant disease in agriculture: 1) What are the critical plant immune pathways that inhibit pathogen growth and how are they regulated? 2) What are the mechanisms by which pathogens suppress plant immunity to persist in plants? Scientists from the US, Israel, Europe and China using diverse tools and approaches to study plant-microbe interactions will participate in the workshop. The workshop will provide an interactive platform to share technology, establish collaboration, and develop innovative technology to improve plant health, productivity and security. Participants will: (1) critically review the status of research and technology in the field; (2) address the agricultural impacts of biotechnology aimed to improve plant disease resistance in the US and Israel; (3) assess biotechnology and set priorities for future research in this area; and (4) assemble integrated teams to develop novel research programs to combat plant pathogens in the field. The workshop will advance discovery in the early cell biology and signal transduction events that cover plant immune responses in model and natural hosts. The workshop design will provide a unique format for participants to critically evaluate the challenges and roadblocks that impede research progress. Students will be active participants. They will gain knowledge and feedback from leading scientists while providing a fresh perspective for future work. Several participants have links to companies working on agricultural technology development. Student exposure to the infrastructure and goals of business models will be educational for their professional development for industry-related work. Special attention has been made to promote participation of women and minorities actively working in this area.