No images? Click here ADW 2024 - The challenges of unculturables and their vectors Annual Diagnostics Workshop (ADW) 2024 planning is underway by the Network Implementation Working Group (NIWG). Registration for EOIs have closed and abstracts are being assessed by the NIWG. ADW 2024 will be held at the Twin Towns Conference Centre, 2 Wharf Street, Tweed Heads, NSW from 19 - 20 March 2024. The theme of ADW 2024 includes topics surrounding:
This annual event is an important opportunity for NPBDN members to learn, exchange tips and techniques, and to network with colleagues in the field. These workshops aim to build capability for plant biosecurity diagnostics in Australia. Not a NPBDN member? Register here. EOI for review/verification of National Diagnostic Protocols (NDPs) | Closing 10 January 2024 Expressions of interest (EOIs) are invited from plant biosecurity diagnosticians or research scientists to undertake the following projects: Review and verify an NDP:
Verify an NDP:
Update a draft NDP:
Timelines:
For more details on the eligibility, application process, assessment process, guide to budgets, and timeline, please visit the NPBDN website via the button below. Xylella Workshop at APPS, 24 November 2023 The National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostics Network (NPBDN) funded a Xylella workshop that was held on the back of the Australasian Plant Pathology Society (APPS) conference on 24 November in Adelaide, South Australia. NPBDN sponsored the travel and accommodation for 10 of its members to attend the conference and workshop. The workshop was delivered by Toni Chapman (NSW DPI), Monica Kehoe (WA DPIRD), Luciano Rigano (MPI NZ), Pragya Kant (AVR VIC), Rachel Mann (PHA), Craig Elliott (P2R2 consulting), and Piotr Trebicki (Macquarie University). The workshop included:
The workshop was aimed at Australia's biosecurity policy makers, emergency response teams, diagnosticians, and industry personnel, and was attended by 32 attendees in total. We thank the Networks Implementation Working Group (NIWG) for assessing the Xylella workshop application and EOIs for NPBDN-sponsored travel support to the workshop. Sugarcane Pathology workshop offered by Sugarcane Research Australia Sugarcane Research Australia (SRA) is hosting Sugarcane Pathology two-day workshops on 27 - 28 February 2024 (Group 1) and 29 Feb – 1 March 2024 (Group 2). During this practical and hands-on course, you will learn from SRA’s pathology team and observe diseases in the field. The course will also provide you with the latest disease research, and will cover the identification, diagnosis and management of important endemic and exotic diseases of sugarcane. Visit SRA’s website for more information, or contact SRA’s Manager, Biosecurity and Disease Screening, Dr Shamsul Bhuiyan on:
NPBDN website refresh | Expert Register NPBDN members can now easily search the Members Directory by name, discipline or location when logged into the NPBDN member portal. We anticipate that this update will further strengthen the connections within the NPBDN network, enabling members to find and contact fellow members based in a specific location or with expertise of interest. Take a look and get to know your fellow NPBDN network members today! New podcasts and webinar series ‘The Full Bottle’ Citrus Australia's podcast ‘The Full Bottle’ brings you the latest information from growers and researchers, aiming to educate, inspire, and entertain citrus growers and businesses around Australia. The podcast is available from most streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, YouTube), with new episodes released on the last Monday of each month. Tune into Episode 18: What's bugging citrus biosecurity to hear NPBDN member, Francesco Martoni, speak about research that is underway to detect and survey for exotic pests threatening the citrus industry in Australia. 'Beyond Myrtle Rust' 'Beyond Myrtle Rust' (BMR) is a collaborative, multi-faceted research program by Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research and funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) Endeavour fund. The program aims to study the behaviour, ecology, and impacts of the disease myrtle rust (MR) in New Zealand. As part of the program, Beyond Myrtle Rust is producing a webinar series. Recordings of over 30 webinars in the series are available on the Landcare research website, covering topics including:
Career OpportunitiesPhD scholarship opportunitiesA PhD scholarship at the Ecosciences Precinct (University of Queensland) is being advertised on the NPBDN website. Job opportunitiesVisit the page on the NPBDN website to keep up to date with current job opportunities. Career ProfileThis month the career profile will be on NPBDN member Shamila Abeynayake, who is a Molecular Scientist at the Plant Innovation Centre (PIC), Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). About the NetworkThe National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostic Professional Development and Protocols Projects are coordinated and delivered by Plant Health Australia and are funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The objectives of the Projects are to enhance and strengthen Australia’s diagnostic and surveillance capacity and capability to identify priority plant pests that impact on plant industries, environment and the community. |