Transcript ppt - ResistVir

VIROTICA
Co-ordination of Research on Genetic
Resistance to Plant Pathogenic Viruses, and
their Vectors, in European Crops
Project overview
Dr. Mark Pullinger, Chalex Research Ltd.
Kick-off Meeting
ISPAVE, Rome, Italy
Monday February 28th 2005
Overview of Chalex
Chalex Research
•Based in sunny Torquay on the English Riviera
•16 permanent staff
•Range of scientific backgrounds
Chemistry
Physics
Biology
Marine biology
Operations
•Scientific consultancy
•Project management
•Proposal writing
•Literature reviews
•Legislation reviews
History of VIROTICA
Call for proposals published in summer 2003
•Two consortia began to prepare proposals
•Some contact between co-ordinators, but no agreement reached
•Two proposals submitted on February 5th 2004
•VIROGEN and CONVERGER-CA
Both projects favourably evaluated
•European Commission favoured merger
•Discussions between co-ordinators revealed complementary aims
•Meeting in Brussels arranged to discuss fine details of merger
•Agreed to merge proposals under new acronym: VIROTICA
History of VIROTICA (2)
Combined management structure
•Chalex (VIROGEN) would act as project co-ordinator
Responsible for administration and co-ordination
•Senior CONVERGER-CA partners would be chief scientific participants
Scientific ‘drivers’ behind project
Drafting of technical annex
•Work packages drafted based on original proposals
•‘Best bits’ retained from each, strengthened by fresh input
•Deliverables strengthened during negotiation sessions
•Very high project budget, due to large combined consortium
Current status of VIROTICA
Project awaiting issue of contract
•Budget figures approved
•Technical annex approved as ‘final’
•Next contract batch prepared March 8th and 9th
•Retroactive start date: February 1st 2005
Outstanding issues
•Several consortium agreements outstanding
•Some new legal documents might be required by EC
•Bank account details required from all participants
•Form A from all participants
Once EC issues contract
Objectives of VIROTICA
Co-ordinate and map cutting-edge research activities on
resistance to plant viruses/vectors in Europe
•Overall objective
To review scientific literature and document progress
towards using resistance to plant viruses/vectors
•Highlight most promising areas for future research
Identify Centres of Activity to enhance the consortium
•Add further associate members
•Goal to make VIROTICA the leading European forum for research
into this topic
Objectives of VIROTICA (2)
Identify recent technological advances and advise on new
policies that can improve resistance to plant pathogenic
viruses/vectors
•Specialist studies
•Expert group meetings
Harmonise national and European standards, legislation,
ethical issues, codes of practice and regulations in this field
•Highlight loopholes and identify best practice
Identify barriers to development and use of new resistant
varieties
•Analyse and raise profile through specialist workshops
Objectives of VIROTICA (3)
Provide an on-line European database, linked to existing
web sites and databases
•Map research activities in Europe and beyond
Promote collaboration with European industry
•Strengthen Europe’s leadership in field
Disseminate the project’s results to experts, and members of
the public
•Web site
•International Conference
•Technology transfer programme
•Specialist workshops
•Staff exchange programme
Objectives of VIROTICA (4)
Create & enhance good communication between partners
and develop permanent research links
•Electronic communication tools
•Expansion of consortium
Provide a framework to encourage complementary research
programmes across the ERA
•Help unite research into topic
•Place VIROTICA in prime position to bid for subsequent funding
Methodology
Q. How will objectives be achieved?
A. As per description in the Technical Annex
Q. How will performance be measured?
A. By regular communication and at project meetings
Assessment of milestones and deliverables
Q. How often are these meetings held?
A. Every 6 months (with possible emergency meetings)
Q. Who is responsible for ensuring the work is done?
A. The project co-ordinator
Assisted by chief scientific participants (IGCEB, CSIC)
Structure
WP1: Project management
and further development
Responsible for smooth running of
all other work packages
WP3: Co-ordination of
research on problems
caused by viruses and
vectors, and their methods
of control
WP5: Resistance, and
innovation and transgenic,
workshops to improve the
genetic control of virus /
vector resistance
Will exchange information with
WP2, WP4, WP5 and WP6, and
feed information to WP7
Will exchange information with
WP3, feed information toWP6 and
WP7, and get input form WP2 and
WP4
WP2: Survey and database
of European resources and
centres of activity
Will exchange information with
WP3 and feed information to
WP4, WP5, WP6 and WP7
WP4: Analysis of
standards, legislation,
ethical issues, codes of
practice, regulations, and
intellectual property issues
WP6: International
Conference on "Use of
genetic resistance as a tool
to control plant pathogenic
viruses / vectors"
Will exchange information with
WP3, feed information to WP5
and WP7 and get input from WP2
Will exchange information with
WP3, feed information to WP7,
and will get input from WP2 and
WP5
WP7: Dissemination and
technology transfer
Will get input from WP2, WP3,
WP4, WP5 and WP6
Project timeframe
Project month
Work package 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Role of project co-ordinator
Chalex will:
•Act as liaison point with EC
•Monitor work package progress
•Help to assess and manage technical risks
•Produce biannual progress reports
•Help to organise all meetings
•Produce financial statements
•Facilitate smooth running of the network
•Attempt to develop collaborations with other projects
•Act as secretary to management steering board
Role of chief scientific participants
ICCGEB/CSIC will:
•Assist Chalex with scientific management of project
•Be principal representative at external events
•Chair technical sessions of meetings
•Chair Management Steering Board meetings
•Act as secretaries to Management Board meetings
•Assist Chalex with any technical issues that might arise
Whom to contact?
•Administrative query – Chalex
Financial statements, reporting, meeting scheduling, etc.
•Scientific query – ICGEB/CSIC
Clarification of scope of workplan, suitability of associate
members, etc.
Immediate work planning
What must be decided today?
•WP1 – Project management
Agreement on draft web site structure
•WP2 – Literature survey and centres of activity database
Strategy for literature survey
Structure for online database
•WP3 – Research co-ordination
Confirmation of expert group topics
Appointment of expert group leaders
•WP4 – Standards, legislation and codes of practice
Strategy for literature survey
•WP5 – Specialist workshops
Initial planning for first workshop
Any questions?
Comments, suggestions, queries?