WORKSHOP

Plant Pathogen Forensics: Filling the Gaps

January 11-13, 2007
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT & REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Program

The Oklahoma City National Memorial for the Prevention of Terrorism (MIPT) and the adjacent Oklahoma Farmers Union have offered us the use of outstanding and convenient meeting spaces. The MIPT conference room is located on the top floor of the Journal Record Building overlooking the Oklahoma City Murrah Federal Building Memorial.

Cost
The Workshop is sponsored by the Oklahoma State University Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Travel, lodging and per diem costs of non-Oklahoma participants may be requested; funding is available to support many of the participants..

Background
In the fall of 2004, at the request of the federal security community, a small working group of plant pathologists was formed to assess the United States' capabilities in the area of microbial forensics as related to the intentional use of pathogens of plants (crops, rangelands, forests) for the purpose of harming U.S. agricultural interests. The group, chaired by Dr. Jacque Fletcher, Oklahoma State University, included experts in each major plant pathogen group (viruses, bacteria and fungi) as well as in molecular biology, genetics, evolution, epidemiology, and database management. Although a formal discipline of plant pathogen forensics has not existed as such in the past, the team's thorough study revealed significant tools, information and capabilities currently available in the broader discipline of plant pathology that could be brought to bear on forensic needs. Working group members also identified gaps that must be filled to assure the capability for a robust law enforcement response to intentional plant pathogen introduction, and recommended a prioritization of research and educational initiatives to fill those gaps.

The study was published as a review in the June 2006 issue of Molecular and Microbiological Reviews (Microbiol. Molec. Biol. Rev. 70:450-471. doi:10.1128/MMBR.00022-05).

Plant Pathogen Forensics: Filling the Gaps
The January workshop will be designed to significantly advance the development of plant pathogen forensics capability in the United States by creative interactions between internationally respected and highly experienced plant pathologists, key representatives of the security and law enforcement communities, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Central Intelligence Agency, and key representatives of relevant agencies including the United States Department of Agriculture.

Workshop objectives
  1. Provide opportunities for members of the plant pathology, security and law enforcement communities to interact and communicate their respective missions, needs, and perspectives.
  2. Develop specific targeted initiatives, with identified leaders, to
    a.  identify and prioritize the most critical needs of the security and law enforcement communities related to plant pathogen forensics,
    b.  identify research gaps and develop research and education strategies to address these gaps, and
    c.  identify potential objectives and program areas for targeted funding programs from federal granting agencies, the security and law enforcement communities, and other sources to support these initiatives.

For additional registration information please telephone (405) 744-6489.

For other questions, you may contact Dr. Jacqueline Fletcher (jacqueline.fletcher@okstate.edu) ; phone: 405.744.9948.