June 19 -24, 2011 – Kansas State University- Manhattan, Kansas

Organizer: John F. Leslie, Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University

This workshop will be taught by eight international Fusarium experts. Participants will be introduced to standard morphological, genetic and molecular biological techniques used to identify and characterize strains of Fusarium . Participants will learn to use morphological characters to identify the most common Fusarium species, how to make tests for vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) and cross-fertility, and how to extract, PCR amplify DNA, and analyze DNA sequences. More than half of the time will be spent in the laboratory working with standard strains. Students may bring some of their own strains (please contact Dr. Leslie to arrange for proper USDA permits

Topics

Topics covered in this workshop will include: Laboratory Strain Identification, VCG Analysis, Mating Types and Crosses, Species Concepts and Molecular Identification.