The National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis
(NIMBioS) is now accepting applications for its Investigative Workshop,
"Vector Transmission of Plant Viruses," to be held March 17-19, 2014, at
NIMBioS.
*Objectives:* Plant viruses are among the greatest limiting factors to
modern agriculture. Climate change and the emergence of new viral
strains affect the health and biodiversity of crops and of plants in
general, while the continued growth of the human population emphasizes
the need for sustainable agriculture. This workshop will provide a forum
for discussion of current problems on vectored transmission of plant
viruses, with the goal of identifying mathematical, computational, and
statistical methods, as well as insights derived using these methods. In
addition, this workshop may lead to new collaborations and working
groups on methods for prevention and control of vector transmission of
plant viruses, which promote sustainable agricultural practices and
reduce species invasions. The problems in vector transmission of plant
viruses are not simple; they are multiscale and often are driven by data
from specific crops or fields. This workshop will bring together experts
in plant pathogens, agronomy, and vector and plant virology, physiology,
and ecology with mathematical and statistical modelers to discuss
problems in prevention and control of vector transmission of plant
pathogens.
Some sample breakout sessions envisioned for this workshop include the
following:
* Linking genomics and other molecular information to epidemiological
dynamics
* Evolution of novel virus strains
* Modeling transmission mechanisms (climate effects, environmental
determinants, coinfection)
* Epidemiological consequences of mode of virus transmission
* Spatial spread of vector-borne infection
* Reducing and controlling the rate of spread of emerging virus strains.
* Insect dispersal and vector behavior
*Location: *NIMBioS at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
*Co-Organizers: *Linda J. S. Allen, Mathematics and Statistics, Texas
Tech Univ., Lubbock; Vrushali A. Bokil, Mathematics, Oregon State Univ.,
Corvallis; Elizabeth T. Borer, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Univ. of
Minnesota, Minneapolis; Alison G. Power, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology,
Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY; Frank Van Den Bosch, Computational and
Systems Biology, Rothamsted Research, Hertfordshire, UK;
For more information about the workshop and a link to the online
application form, go to http://www.nimbios.org/workshops/WS_plantviruses
Participation in the workshop is by application only. Individuals with a
strong interest in the topic are encouraged to apply, and successful
applicants will be notified within two weeks of the application
deadline. If needed, financial support for travel, meals, and lodging is
available for workshop attendees.
*Application deadline:* October 28, 2013
The National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis
(NIMBioS) (http://www.nimbios.org) brings together researchers from
around the world to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries to
investigate solutions to basic and applied problems in the life
sciences. NIMBioS is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Department of
Agriculture with additional support from The University of Tennessee,
Knoxville.
*****************************
Catherine Crawley, Ph.D.
Communications Manager
National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS)
University of Tennessee
1122 Volunteer Blvd, Ste. 106
Knoxville, TN 37996
e ccrawley from nimbios.org
t +1 865 974 9350
f +1 865 974 9461
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