News and Press Releases

Unfortunate passing of esteemed colleague; Dr. Gopi Krishna Podila

2010-02-17 12:02:01

 

It is with profound sadness that we learned of the tragic death of Dr Gopi Krishna Podila on February 12th. Many mycorrhiza researchers around the world are mourning his passing. His departure will be a great loss to our community.   Dr. Podila had been the Chairperson of the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama, USA for the last ten years. Prior to that he was Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences of Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan. He received a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from Nagarjuna University in Andhra Pradesh, and, in 1983, a master's degree in Plant Pathology from Louisiana State University. He received a doctorate in molecular biology from Indiana State University in 1987. He was also an active member and past Chair of the Mycorrhiza Committee of the American Phytopathological Society. He was an editorial board member of the journals Symbiosis, New Phytologist, Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants, and Journal of Plant Interactions.   Dr. Podila’s keen mind and energy for forestry and ectomycorrhizal research is evidenced in the breadth and depth of his research career. Among the key interests pursued by Dr Podila were engineering tree biomass for bioenergy and functional genomics of plant-microbe interactions. His group studied early gene expression resulting from ectomycorrhizal formation in order to identify genes essential for ectomycorrhizal symbiosis.  His lab was one of the first to genetically engineer mycorrhizal fungi for functional genomic studies, and collaborated on research on the differential gene expression in germinating spores of AM fungi upon exposure to host root exudate signals.  Most recently, Dr. Podila was an active member of the international steering committees involved in sequencing of the genomes from the ectomycorrhizal fungus (Laccaria bicolor) and the AM fungus, Glomus intraradices.  His lab was also pursuing the molecular basis of developmental control of reproductive tissues and vascular tissues (wood formation) using poplar as a model system.  Studies included cloning, characterization, and protein-protein interaction of MADS-box family transcription factors that control these processes.  He was closely associated with TERI in working on genetic improvement of the biodiesel species, Jatropha curcas.  He worked on high throughput sequencing of cDNAs of Jatropha that led to the identification of over 20000 unigenes some of which were responsible for oil synthesis.   To top his scientific achievements, he was an excellent teacher, a trait he demonstrated with great enthusiasm while interacting with students of all levels such as high school, undergraduate as well as doctoral.  Never to raise his voice, he was a patient, amicable and polite co-worker.  An ardent lover of music, and a researcher to the core with an eye to catch the minutest detail, he was an excellent human being who shall be remembered forever by one and all who had the chance to meet him.   Alok Adholeya, David Douds and Francis Martin   After consultation with his family, the IMS will be establishing a fund in honour of Gopi Podila’s contributions to our field.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR HOSTING ICOM 7 (2012)

2009-12-09 15:12:05

 

 

The International Mycorrhiza Society (IMS) is requesting proposals from groups actively studying mycorrhizas to host the Seventh International Conference on Mycorrhizas (ICOM7).

The ICOM is the premier international forum for current research on pure and applied aspects of mycorrhizal symbioses. Research results are presented as invited plenary or symposium presentations, as volunteered oral presentations, or as posters. The Conference also provides a forum for discussion of topics associated with commercializing mycorrhizal fungi and promotes exchange and research collaborations. The ICOM is generally held every three years. The ICOM is the major international event supported by the IMS. The first ICOM was held in Berkeley USA in 1996. It was followed by ICOM2 in Uppsala Sweden in 1998, ICOM3 in Adelaide Australia in 2001, ICOM4 in Montreal Canada in 2003, ICOM5 in Granada Spain in 2006 and ICOM6 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil in 2009. Attendance has averaged around 600 (range 250 to 800). While the IMS does not underwrite the conference financially or cover any budgetary shortfalls, the IMS will provide advice to the local organizing committee. Furthermore, the IMS office can facilitate registration and financial transactions. The chair of the local organizing committee will serve on the governing council of the IMS and the IMS will provide members to serve on the international scientific committee.

What to include in a proposal

The purpose of the proposal is to provide sufficient information to the IMS membership to decide where to hold the next ICOM. The following list was developed based on the experience of previous ICOM organizers and is provided to help potential organizers think about major aspects of conference organization. It is understood that the information in the proposal will be based on the best current estimates of the local organizing committee and that firm details cannot be developed until a time closer to the event.


1. Summary of major aspects of the proposal (approximately ½ page and appropriate for posting on the website)

2. Proposed year and dates, with rationale

3. Preliminary budget include possible sources of sponsorships proposed fee and anticipated attendance (with the understanding that both of these are very difficult to predict long in advance of the conference date) which aspects of the conference the fees are expected to cover

4. Information on the facilities proposed for the meeting

5. Other events planned (trips, visits, workshops, round table discussions, etc.)

6. People and groups who will organize the ICOM: Will a professional conference organizer be used? (organizers of previous ICOMs recommend this) Who is willing to serve on a local organizing committee? Who would the local committee like to see serve on the international scientific committee? (the IMS can assist you by contacting these people)

7. Indication of the experience of the people listed in #6 with organizing international scientific meetings

8. Major transportation routes to the host city and their cost

9. A general statement on visa requirements (no need to provide details for nationals of all countries)

10. Availability of a range of types of accommodation including low cost accommodation for students; apartments for groups

11. Theme and format of the Conference

12. Plans for inviting keynote speakers, to maintain the tradition of research excellence of the ICOM

13. Plans to involve inoculum and other companies in the activities of ICOM (some sessions on applied aspects; packages of ‘benefits’ can be offered to companies who sponsor various aspects of the conference)

14. Source of liability and cancellation insurances

15. Other reasons why this location is a good location

Proposals should not exceed 10 pages and should be submitted to the IMS Secretariat (info@mycorrhizas.org) by February 15, 2010. The Chair of the local organizing committee must be a member in good standing of the IMS. Procedures for evaluation The following criteria have been identified by the IMS as being important for evaluating the proposals:

1. Clear and realistic budget plan (low registration fees are attractive, but fees must be adequate to cover the costs)

2. Date

3. Costs to participants (bearing in mind that final fees will be set closer to the date of the conference when costs can be estimated more precisely)

4. Cost and convenience of travel (individual members may want to check visa costs and procedures for their nationality).

5. Facility for the meeting itself

6. Accommodation (range of prices)

7. Student residence available near the conference location

8. Proposed location relative to the region in which the previous ICOM was held

9. Attractiveness of the proposed ICOM to scientists and students conducting high quality research in academia, government and industry, as well as end users of mycorrhiza research

10. Opportunities for networking and establishing collaborations

Once the proposals have been received by the IMS, the governing council will review them and solicit clarifying information from the submitters by March 1, 2010. Updated proposals will be posted on the IMS website. This will take place no later than March 19, 2010. IMS members will evaluate and vote on proposals. Deadline: April 10, 2010. The successful proposal will be announced by April 16, 2010.

 

 

USERNAMES AND PASSWORDS

2009-10-26 12:10:25

 

After popular demand, you can now change your log-in password to one that is easier for you to remember. Just log-in with your original IMS member number and proceed to create your personal USERNAME and PASSWORD.   After that, your password will be the only thing you require to log into the website.  Good luck!

REBATES FOR THE JOURNAL "MYCORRHIZA"

2009-10-21 10:10:02

To order "Mycorrhiza" at a reduced rate, please follow the link below and fill in the form and include your IMS membership number.  Without this number, a rebate will not apply.

http://www.springer.com/generic/order/journals+subscription?SGWID=0-40514-0-0-0

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