Conference programme

We are excited to be hosting this diverse programme of accomplished researchers, please note the programme is developing and may change. As this is now a hybrid conference the majority of speakers will be attending in person, however some may join via video link.

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Monday 4th April

Conference Opening

Time Session Speaker
9:00 - 13:00 Registration open  
12:00 - 13:00 Welcome refreshments served  
13:00 - 13:10 Opening Session Prof. Duncan Cameron, University of Sheffield, UK
13:10 - 13:25 Conference overview Prof. Jurriaan Ton, University of Sheffield, UK
13:25 - 13:30 Welcoming statements from IOBC Prof. Victor Flors, Jaume I University, Spain

Theme 1: Perception and Signalling

Chair: Mike Roberts

Time Session Speaker
13:30-14:00

Plants synthesize N-hydroxypipecolic acid to implement systemic acquired resistance and defense priming

Prof. Jürgen Zeier, Germany

14:00 -14:30 The role of chemical messengers in transmission of stress-triggered calcium waves Dr. Christine Faulkner John Innes Institute, UK
14:30-14:45

Abstract 1: The ER membrane as a central regulator of plant immune priming.

Roland Schwarzenbacher, Durham University

14:45 -15:00 Abstract 2: TIR-NBS-LRR protein MRT1 is regulated by a miRNA and participates in Arabidopsis defence responses to spider mite infestation Irene Rosa-Diaz, CBGP, UPM – INIA
15:00-15:30 Refreshment Break  
15:30 -16:00 Self-DNA and its multiple roles in damaged-self recognition: from plants to humans Prof. Martin Heil CINVESTAV, Mexico
16:00 -16:30 First glimpse of a SUMO code in defence signalling and priming Prof.  Ari Sadanandom University of Durham, UK 
16:30-16:45 Abstract 3: Extracellular DNA as a primary damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) induces plant resistance against pathogens and pests Leila Rassizadeh, Jaume I University
16:45-17:00 Abstract 4: The impact of elevated CO2 on mature oak and seedling defence against powdery mildew Mark Raw, University of Birmingham
17:00-19:00 Welcome buffet dinner & drinks  

Tuesday 5th April

Theme 2: Transcriptional control

Chair: Estrella Luna Diez

Time Session Speaker
8:30- 9:00 Welcome tea/coffee served  
9:00- 9:30 Dynamic ubiquitination controls transcription dynamics in immunity Dr. Steve Spoel, University of Edinburgh, UK
9:30 - 10:00 Multi-omic insights into ash dieback disease

Dr. Andrea Harper, University of York, UK

10:00 -10:15 Abstract 1: Photoperiod stress primes/protects Arabidopsis plants against pathogen attack Anne Cortleven, FU Berlin - Institute of Biology/Applied Genetics
10:15-10:30 Abstract 2: The impact of harvest on immune gene activation and pathogen resistance Lindsay Williams, University of Edinburgh
10:30-10:50 Refreshment break  
10:50 - 11:20  Understanding the language of plant hormones instructing plants how to conquer pests and diseases Prof. Saskia CM Van Wees, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
11:20 -11:50 Dynamics, mechanisms, and evolution of a highly resilient plant immune signaling network

Prof. Fumiaki Katagiri, University of Minnesota, USA

11:50 - 12:05

Abstract 3: Dissecting plant defence-growth trade-off established upon spider mite infestation

Estrella Santamaria, Centro de Biotecnologia y Genomica de Plantas (upm-inia

12:05 - 12:20 Abstract 4: Transcriptional regulators IBM2 and EDM2 act as suppressors of salicylic acid-dependant defence response genes in Arabidopsis Dr. Leonardo Furc, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology
12:20-13:20 Lunch Break  

Tuesday 5th April

Theme 3: Cell wall immunity

Chair: Saskia van Wees

Time Session Speaker
13:20-13:50 Plant immunity and disease resistance responses triggered by cell wall derived signals

Prof. Antonio Molina

Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP, UPM-INIA/CSIC), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)

13:50-14:20 From molecule to crop protection - elucidating the role of callose biosynthesis in pathogen defence

Dr. Christian Voigt 

BASF, Belgium

Tuesday 5th April

Theme 4: Epigenetic regulation

Chair: Jurriaan Ton

Time Session Speaker
14:20-14:50

Don’t let it get under you bark: Exploring mechanism of defence priming in Norway Spruce

Dr. Melissa Mageroy, NIBIO, Norway

14:50-15:05 Abstract 1: DNA demethylation and ARGONAUTE1 are required for long-lasting jasmonic acid induced resistance Sam Wilkinson, University of Sheffield
15:05 - 15:35 Refreshment Break  

15:35- 16:05

Active DNA demethylation shapes immune responsiveness and ensures proper WRKY-DNA binding at TE boundaries Dr. Lionel Navarro, IBENS, France 
16:05 -16:45

Epigenetics in plant-nematode interactions: preparing for battle in the same and future generations

Anikó Meijer, Ghent University
16:45-17:00 Abstract 2: Long-lasting defence priming by β-aminobutyric acid in tomato is marked by genome-wide changes in DNA methylation. Mike Roberts, Lancaster University
17:00-17:15 Abstract 3: Epigenetics of long-lasting post harvest resistance in tomato Katie Stevens, University of Birmingham
17:15-17:30 Abstract 4: Using an estradiol-inducible AtROS1 construct to establish the role of DNA demethylation patterning in epigenetically-controlled induced resistance. Adam Parker, University of Sheffield
17:30-19:00 Poster session with drinks  

Wednesday 6th April

Theme 5: Role of soil microbiome in plant immunity

Chair: Victor Flors

Time Session Speaker
8:00 - 8:30 Welcome tea/coffee served  
8:30 - 9:00

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi take their place between plants and bacteria

Prof. Paola Bonfante, University of Torino, Italy 
9:00-9:30 Translating biological knowledge into efficacious tools for agriculture

Dr. Sjoerd van der Ent, Koppert Biological Systems

9:30-9:45 Abstract 1: Investigating the transferability of disease-suppressing soil microbiomes to protect tomato Nancy Muringai, University of Sheffield
9:45 - 10:00 Abstract 2: Metabolomic and proteomic approaches to understand Mycorrhiza-IR against Botrytis cinerea infection Paloma Sánchez-Bel, Universitat Jaume I
10:00- 10:15 Abstract 3: Phages: biocontrol agents of the major plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum Sara Franco Ortega, University of York
10:15-10:30 Abstract 4: Beauveria bassiana-tomato interaction: a snapshot of molecular mechanisms regulating host growth promotion and increased defense Silvia Proietti, University of Tuscia
10:30-10:50 Refreshment break  
10:50 - 11:20 Plant responsiveness to soil microbial feedbacks Prof. Klaus Schlaeppi, University of Basel, Switzerland

Wednesday 6th April

Theme 6: Phenotyping quantitative disease resistance and induced resistance

Chair: Jurriaan Ton

Time Session Speaker
11:20 - 11:50

Potential of hyperspectral imaging to detect plant diseases and identify plant resistance responses

Dr. Matheus Thomas Kuska, Pflanzenschutzdienst, Germany
11:50 - 12:20 Using plant disease phenomics to quantify costs and benefits of priming agents Dr. Stephen Rolfe, University of Sheffield, UK
12:20 - 12:35 Abstract 1: Optimising the costs-benefit balance of induced resistance by chemical agents in tomato and lettuce using hyperspectral imaging. Mustafa Yassin, Department of Biosciences The University of Sheffield
12:35-12:50 Absract 2: High-throughput phenotyping and enzymatic activity profiling of BABA- and phosphite-induced potato plants Murilo Sandroni, SLU
12:50 - 17:00 Excursion to Chatsworth House with afternoon tea Link
12:50-17:00 For those not attending the trip to Chatsworth this is free time to explore Sheffield  
19:00 - 00:00 Gala Dinner at Sheffield City Hall Location details here

Thursday 7th April

Theme 7: Tri-trophic and community interactions

Chair: Melissa Mageroy

Time Session Speaker
9:00 - 9:30

Welcome tea/coffee served

 
9:30 - 10:00

Priming direct and indirect antiherbivore defense by  root mutualistic microbes

Dr. Ainhoa Martinez-Medina, IRNASA-CSIC, Spain
10:00 - 10:30

Insect egg depositions prime plant defence against larval herbivory

Prof. Monika Hilker, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
10:30 - 10:45 Abstract 1: A root mutualistic fungus triggers programed cell death in tomato plants upon leaf herbivory Francisco Javier Colina Ruiz, Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Salamanca, Spanish National Research Council (IRNASA-CSIC)
10:45-11:00 Abstract 2: Systemic signalling in mycorrhizal and plant-herbivore interactions Ming Zeng, German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
11:00-11:30  Refreshment break  
11:30 - 12:00  Plant response to the third trophic level: An underestimated interplay shaping multitrophic interactions

Prof. Christelle Robert, University of Bern, Switzerland

Q&A with Paul Himmighofen

12:00 - 12:15 Abstract 3: Microbe-induced aphid suppression across variable biotic and abiotic environments Dr Sharon Zytynska, University of Liverpool
12:15-12:30 Abstract 4: Can we consider neighbors plants as biocontrol agents?

Pelissier Rémi, Inrae-Supagro

12:30 - 13:15 Lunch  

Thursday 7th April

Theme 8: Past, present and future of induced resistance research

Chair: Estrella Luna Diez/Mike Roberts

Time Session Speaker
13:15 - 13:45 Defense priming: emergence – establishment – application Prof. Uwe Conrath, RWTH Germany
13:45 - 14:15 Microbe-Induced Resistance: Are we ready? Dr. Maria Pozo CSIC, Spain 
14:15 - 14:30 Closing session with highlights and presentation/poster awards for postdocs/students Dr. Estrella Luna Diez and Dr. Mike Roberts

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