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USDA Holds
First International Meeting on Comparative Insect GenomicsBy Sharon Durham October 29, 2001The key to controlling insect pests
and strengthening beneficial insects in the future could be hidden in their
genes. To learn more about these genes and their functions, the
U.S. Department of Agriculture is holding
its first international workshop on insect genomics in Arlington, Va., this
week. The first International Comparative Insect Genomics Workshop, set for Oct.
29-30, is sponsored by two USDA research agencies--the
Agricultural Research Service and the
Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service. The workshop brings together insect researchers and
other experts. Among the noted experts are Leroy Hood, president and director of the
Institute for Systems
Biology, who will discuss how the Human Genome Project changed scientific
views of biology. Also, keynote speaker Francis S. Collins, director of the
federal National Human Genome Research
Institute, will detail the course and history of this project. The field of comparative insect genomics is experiencing an explosion of
information and opportunities. Yet, while groups exist for Drosophila(fruit fly) genomics, none address the broad theme of insect genomics. While much has been learned in recent years about the human genome, little
is known about insect genomics. The workshop will help lay the foundation for
further study in this area. Scientists are taking inventory of what research is
being conducted, what research should be undertaken and what projects might
benefit from a more coordinated effort. Researchers will also discuss how the research should be accomplished and
how to fund it. A variety of agriculturally important insect types will be
examined, including Anopheles (mosquitos), Caenorhabditis(flatworms), fruit flies, corn rootworms and honey bees. Other presenters at the workshop include Paul Brey from the
Institut Pasteur in Paris,
France; Fotis Kafatos from the European Molecular Biology Laboratoryin Heidelberg, Germany; Michael Ashburner from Cambridge University in the United Kingdom;
and Gary Olsen from the University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Plans are being made to continue providing similar workshops in the future. ARS is USDAs chief scientific research agency. U.S. Department of Agriculture |