COST Action 850: Working groups

Working Group 1: Symbiosis Biology
Working Group 2: Bioactive Molecules
Working Group 3: Biotechnology
Working Group 4: Interactions with field biota
Working Group 5: Socio-economics

Working Group 1: Symbiosis Biology

Symbiosis is a generic term used to describe the association and interaction between different organisms e.g. bacteria-eukaryote and eukaryote-eukaryote. In WG1 we will be looking at the various symbioses that occur in insects and associated entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN). Such interactions can be mutualistic (Photorhabdus/Xenorhabdus and EPN, Buchnera and aphids), indifferent, pathogenic (Wolbachia and its hosts (Fig.2), Photorhabdus/Xenorhabdus and insects) or parasitic (nematodes and insects).

More Information: See MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, Scientific Programme.

Scientific Coordinators:

David Clarke, University of Bath, School of Biology and Biochemistry, Claverton Down, Bath BA 27 AY, United Kingdom, Tel:+44 1225 826261, Fax:+44 1225 826779, bssdjc@bath.ac.uk

Kostas Bourtzis, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, University of Ioannina, 2, Seferi St., 30100 Agrinio, Greece, Tel: +30 26410 39514, Fax: +30 26419 39576, kbourtz@cc.uoi.gr

Working Group 2: Bio-active Molecules

Pathogenicity relies on tools to overcome the host defence mechanisms and to kill the host. These substances can have biocidal activity which could be used in plant protection. To successfully establish in the host these organisms produce substances like antibiotics which prevent other organisms to establish in their environment. These substances can have a potential for the pharmaceutical industry. Symbiotic interactions rely on communication between the partners. The objective of WG 2 is to identify and characterise these bioactive molecules.

Xenocoumacins Species: Xenorhabdus nematophila

Derivatives of: 3,4-dihydro-8-hydroxy-1H-2-benzopyran-1-one. in vitro production:+. Active against: Stress-induced ulcers, bacteria, fungi
(Gregson & McInerney, 1989; McInerney et al., 1991)

More Information: See MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, Scientific Programme.

Scientific Coordinators:

Noël Boemare, Directeur du Laboratoire "Ecologie microbienne des Insectes et University of Bath, Interaction Hôte-pathogène", UMR EMIP INRA-UMII n°1133, cc 54, Bat 24, 3ème étage, Université Montpellier II, 34095 Montpellier CEDEX 5, France, tel + 33 (0)4 67 14 37 40 /04 67 14 47 51, fax +33 (0)4 67 14 46 79, boemare@ensam.inra.fr

Richard ffrench-Constant, School of Biology and Biochemistry, Claverton Down, Bath BA 2 7 AY, United Kingdom, Tel: +44 1225 826261, Fax: +44 1225 826 779, bssrfc@bath.ac.uk

Working Group 3: Biotechnology

WG 3 will promote the commercial exploitation of biocontrol nematodes and other symbiotic antagonists. Activities will concentrate on production biotechnology, downstream processing, storage, formulation and application technologies. The improvement of quality control procedures will help to standardize product stability. Another focus will be the search for new applications of biocontrol symbionts against pests in agriculture and horticulture and the support of field development aiming at an improvement of delivery systems and integration with other control measures. Cooperation between industry, extension services and academia will result in the development of appropriate technical instructions for nematode use.

Bioreactor for in vitro production of entomopathogenic nematodes

More Information: See MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, Scientific Programme.

Scientific Coordinators:

Ralf-Udo Ehlers, Institute for Phytopathology, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Dept. Biotechnology & Biological Control, Hermann-Rodewald-Str. 9, D-24118 Kiel/Germany, Tel.: +49-431-880-4864, Fax.: +49-431-880-1583, E-Mail: ehlers@biotec.uni-kiel.de

Marek Tomalak, Institute of Plant Protection, Dept. Biological Pest Control, Miczurina, 20, 60-318, Poznan, 48-61679021 E239, Poland, M.Tomalak@ior.poznan.pl

Working Group 4: Interactions with Field Biota

This working group will focus on different interactions of biocontrol nematode/bacterial complexes in the target environment. The working group aims to gain more knowledge on the following aspects related to biocontrol nematodes: survival and persistence, biology and interactions with field biota, use in integrated pest management, surveys and monitoring, inoculative release and safety.

Target environment

More Information: See MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, Scientific Programme.

Scientific Coordinators:

Solveig Haukeland, Bioforsk, Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Hogskoleveien 7, 1432 Aas, Norway, Tel: +47 64949299, Fax: +64949226, solveig.haukeland@bioforsk.no

Salinas Christine Griffin, Institute for Bioengineering & Agroecology, Department of Biology, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Tel: +353 1 708 3841, Fax: +353 1 708 3845, christine.griffin@may.ie

Working Group 5: Socio-economics

The objective of this working group is to bring together the technology generation and the technology transfer aspects of COST 850 and to promote internal communication within COST 850.

The issues and questions arising from the user community of farmers, consumers, advisors and dealers have to be "pulled" into the laboratory and research findings and output need to be "pushed" or communicated back to the field. This coupling is the focus of WG 5.

The diagram below depicts the study of the biological processes and the bioactive molecules, their commercial production and evaluation in target environments as different levels of the research and development puzzle, and the two-way process of integrating this research with the social and economic environment as the work of WG 5.

More Information: See MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, Scientific Programme.

Scientific Coordinators:

Holger Philipsen, The Royal Veterinary & Agricultural University, Department of Ecology, Zoology Section, Thorvaldsenvej 40, DK-1871 Fredriksberg C, Tel: +45 35282687, Fax:+45 35282670, hp@kvl.dk

Giovanna Curto, Servizio Fitosanitario, Regione Emilia-Romagna, Via Corticella no 133, 40129 Bologna, Tel: +39 0514159218, Fax: + 39 0514159250, gcurto@regione.emilia-romagna.it