ARS | Publication request: THE INTERNATIONAL MYCOSPHAERELLA GENOMICS CONSORTIUM

Submitted to: International Symposium on Septoria/Stagonospora Disease of Cereals
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: November 28, 2003
Publication Date: December 7, 2003
Citation: Roux, N., Kema, G.H., Carlier, J., Goodwin, S.B., Crous, P.W., Lebrun, M.H. 2003. The international mycoshpaerella genomics consortium. In: Global Insights into the Septoria and Stagonospora Diseases of Cereals. International Symposium on Septoria/Stagonospora Disease of Cereals, December 8-12, 2003, Tunis, Tunisia. p. 147.

Technical Abstract: From 18-20 August 2003 in Merida, Mexico, groups working on M. graminicola and M. fijiensis interacted for the first time and agreed to create the International Mycosphaerella Genomics Consortium. Bringing together research groups working on M. graminicola and M. fijiensis represents several advantages: phylogenetically, M. fijiensis and the wheat pathogen M. graminicola represent two model species in the order Dothideales but are still sufficiently far apart to provide good coverage of this group of fungi; the more advanced progress of M. graminicola would benefit M. fijiensis by the experience and the resources that are already available in M. graminicola; by coordinating the work on genomics of both groups it will allow more exchange of information and material and thus help the research to progress further and faster; bringing together the two groups permits the forming of a critical mass that would facilitate the securing of new projects and funding opportunities. Members will make their resources, tools and/or knowledge available to the consortium and in return will gain information and material from other members. Concerning research priorities, the workshop considered the desirability of (i) a deep total genome sequence, (ii) gene discovery projects and (iii) comparative genomics strategies. To facilitate the functioning of the consortium, a management committee and a secretariat was nominated. An external advisory committee may be necessary as the consortium grows and access to funding increases. So far ten organizations have agreed to join the consortium. A seven-member management committee and three external advisors have been nominated and the International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain (INIBAP) has agreed to provide the secretariat for the consortium.