Research Accomplishment Reports 2011

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Funding Request for XIIth International Nidovirus Symposium (Nido2011)

U. B. R. Balasuriya, K. Faaberg
Department of Veterinary Sciences

 

Non-Technical Summary

The specific aims of the XIIth International Nidovirus Symposium are: 1. To provide a Keynote Lecture, 4 State-of-the-Art Lectures and 4 Convener Selected Talks for the nidovirus scientific community 2. To allow individual laboratories to present new nidoviral research findings The primary goal of this 5-day symposium is to advance our collective knowledge concerning the biology of the nidoviruses and to this end, scientists from all around the world gather to learn and discuss new ideas centered on nidovirus molecular biology, evolution and discovery. Our first aim is to provide a keynote and several state-of-the-art 45 minute presentations that will invigorate and excite the scientists about this chosen field of study. Although not finalized, we have assembled an impressive list of potential speakers to invite (see page 6). In addition, we have asked the conveners for each section to identify scientists they deem strategic, mostly from within our nidoviral community. The identified scientists will present their work in a 30 minute time period as convener selected presentions. Our second aim is to present, both orally and through posters, new and exciting research that has occurred worldwide in several avenues of nidovirus study. The topics include viral pathogenesis, cell biology, immunology, host-virus interaction, virus evolution, structural biology and vaccine development, and diagnostics. In this vein, the meeting will cover cross-species transmission events that have given rise to new diseases, such as SARS. Changes in viral tropism will also be presented. The major diseases of humans were identified in the Introduction, but the coronavirus genus also contains numerous pathogens of veterinary significance, commonly associated with respiratory and enteric infections. The toroviruses infect animals and humans, and are predominantly associated with enteric disease. The family Arteriviridae (genus arterivirus) contains four species-specific viruses that infect horses and donkeys (equine arteritis virus, EAV), swine (porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, PRRSV), monkeys (simian hemorrhagic fever virus) and mice (lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus). Therefore, we will discuss severe diseases in humans as well as economically important diseases of livestock, poultry and prawns, and fatal diseases of companion animals. The XIIth International Nidovirus Symposium promises to be more widely focused than in years past, bringing in new scientists from the expanding fields of viral discovery, vaccine development and diagnostics and disease control. Furthermore, the meeting will allow our scientific community to be better positioned to recognize future disease outbreaks caused by the Nidoviruses, and will be able take appropriate quarantine, vaccination, and therapeutic antiviral measures.

2011 Project Description

The funding from this grant was used to support the XIIth International Nidovirus Symposium (Nido2011) which was held from June 4th (Saturday) to 9th (Thursday), 2011 at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, Acme, MI USA. The purpose of this unique triennial International Nidovirus Symposium was to bringing together scientists engaged in various aspects of nidoviruses study including molecular biology, pathogenesis, immunology, evolution, epidemiology and vaccine development.

The program included a keynote lecture, plenary lectures, short selected talks, state-of-the-art lectures and poster sessions, and ample opportunity for collegial social activities. Investigators with an interest in coronaviruses, toroviruses, arteriviruses and roniviruses were invited to participate in a dynamic and convivial forum for scientific exchange. For newcomers to the field of Nidovirology, the symposium was an excellent opportunity to obtain an overview of the most recent developments, and to discuss ideas with experts in particular areas of their interest.

Funding from this grant was used to cover the travel expenses of co-organizers (Drs. Udeni Balasuriya & Kay Faaberg) to attend the symposium, printing of the abstract book, brochures and flyers, website design and renting audio visual equipment. Funds were also utilized to award 2 graduate student and 2 postdoctoral scholar travel awards.

2011 Impact

The XIIth International Nidovirus Symposium was successfully completed as planned and the two organizers received high compliments from the participants. There were 8 plenary sessions, each comprising 2.5 to 4 hours. The plenary sessions were focused on the following topics: virus attachment, entry and genome uncoating, virus replication and assembly, structural and functional relationships, virus host interactions and pathogenesis, viral immune response, epidemiology, evolution and emerging viruses, vaccines and antivirals and diagnostics and disease control. Oral presentations were limited to 12 minutes with an additional 3 minutes for discussion.

In addition there were two poster sessions on Sunday and Monday afternoons. Posters were displayed in the same area where the plenary sessions were held to give participants easy access to the posters. A summary of the number of presentations is given below.

2011 Publications

Balasuriya, U. B. R. and Faaberg, K. S. XIIth International Nidovirus Symposium (Nido2011), Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, Acme, MI USA. June 4th to 9th, 2011