Nurturing International Partnerships to Support U.S. Agriculture

Mission of ARS “Our mission is to find solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day, from field to table, and to transfer discoveries to society as useful technology and knowledge” “Our mission is to find solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day, from field to table, and to transfer discoveries to society as useful technology and knowledge”

2,200+ scientists 2,200+ scientists 100+ laboratories 100+ laboratories $1.1 billion annual budget (FY05) $1.1 billion annual budget (FY05) International collaboration International collaboration Partnerships with universities and industry Partnerships with universities and industry In-house scientific research arm of USDA In-house scientific research arm of USDA Farm-to-table research scope Farm-to-table research scope Information and technology transfer Information and technology transfer 22 National Programs 22 National Programs 1,100+ projects 1,100+ projects ARS Profile

ARS Technology Transfer Responsible for: –Protecting intellectual property, –Developing strategic partnerships with outside organizations and performing activities that effectively transfer ARS technologies to the market place.

ARS International Activities Cooperative international research Cooperative international research Host international visitors and scientific visits Host international visitors and scientific visits International correspondence International correspondence International agreements International agreements Inter-agency and international fora Inter-agency and international fora Information on international activities Information on international activities

Joint Projects = Success ARS – Russia project to combat foodborne bacterial pathogens such as Campylobacter and Salmonella ARS – Russia project to combat foodborne bacterial pathogens such as Campylobacter and Salmonella ARS scientists from Florida and the Australian Biological Control Lab in Brisbane work together to control melaleuca, an invasive species to the Florida everglades ARS scientists from Florida and the Australian Biological Control Lab in Brisbane work together to control melaleuca, an invasive species to the Florida everglades

ARS – Russia Cooperation Problem: Problem: –Control Food-borne pathogens like Campylobacter and Salmonella in poultry –Responsible for billions of dollars of economic losses in the United States and worldwide Solution: Solution: –Identify candidate bacteriocins that kill food-borne, human disease-causing bacteria

Bacteriocins Small proteins produced by bacteria to kill competing target pathogens Small proteins produced by bacteria to kill competing target pathogens Promising alternative to antibiotics Promising alternative to antibiotics Kills antibiotic resistant bacteria Kills antibiotic resistant bacteria Does not create bacteriocin- resistant target Does not create bacteriocin- resistant target

ARS – Russia Cooperation Project team screened >35,000 bacterial isolates for antagonistic activity to Campylobacter jejuni Project team screened >35,000 bacterial isolates for antagonistic activity to Campylobacter jejuni Hundreds produce zones of inhibition Hundreds produce zones of inhibition Among the most inhibitory isolates, unique bacteriocins are produced Among the most inhibitory isolates, unique bacteriocins are produced 1234

ARS – Russia Cooperation Funded by the U.S. Department of State Bio/Chem Redirect Program Funded by the U.S. Department of State Bio/Chem Redirect Program –Involves former biological weapons scientists in the FSU. Jointly developed by USDA/ARS & Russian scientists Jointly developed by USDA/ARS & Russian scientists Implemented by International Science & Technology Center, Moscow, Russia Implemented by International Science & Technology Center, Moscow, Russia

International Partners U.S. Department of State – Bio/Chem Redirect Program U.S. Department of State – Bio/Chem Redirect Program U.S. Department of Agriculture – Ag. Research Service U.S. Department of Agriculture – Ag. Research Service –Poultry Microbiological Safety Unit, Athens, GA –International Office, Beltsville, MD –Technology Transfer Office, Athens, GA & Beltsville, MD State Research Center for Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology (SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia State Research Center for Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology (SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia International Science and Technology Center (ISTC), Moscow, Russia International Science and Technology Center (ISTC), Moscow, Russia

Formal Agreements MOA between USDA/ARS & DOS MOA between USDA/ARS & DOS MOA between USDA/ARS & ISTC MOA between USDA/ARS & ISTC Individual Project Agreement between USDA/ARS, ISTC & SRCAMB Individual Project Agreement between USDA/ARS, ISTC & SRCAMB –Includes specific IP language drafted & approved by USDA/ARS – OTT –Close coordination with Tech Transfer Coordinators & Patent Advisors Follow on agreement between USDA/ARS, DOS, ISTC & SRCAMB to fund pilot production project Follow on agreement between USDA/ARS, DOS, ISTC & SRCAMB to fund pilot production project

Positive Results to Date Dr. Edward Svetoch, SRCAMB and Dr. Norman Stern, USDA-ARS, Athens, GA Dr. Edward Svetoch, SRCAMB and Dr. Norman Stern, USDA-ARS, Athens, GA –IP jointly owned by ARS & Russian scientists –“Bacteriocins and novel bacteria strains” -- patent allowed (10/426,688) –5 other applications pending or filed –CRADA - Trust Agreement with Cargill, Inc. –Publications in peer-reviewed journals –New $1 M project jointly funded by DOS/BioIndustry Initiative Program and USDA/ARS for pilot production of bacteriocins in Russia – includes industry collaboration

Svetoch and Stern share a patent award

Anticipated Next Steps SRCAMB/ARS/Cargill (through DOS resources) conduct large broiler field trials SRCAMB/ARS/Cargill (through DOS resources) conduct large broiler field trials Identify industrial partner(s) to license IP and develop applications worldwide Identify industrial partner(s) to license IP and develop applications worldwide Patent and publish Patent and publish Determine further applications – human health? Determine further applications – human health?

Invasive Species Impact on U.S. Agriculture Problem: Problem: –Invasive Australian tree species, Melaleuca, infests about 1.5 million acres in Florida’s Everglades and surrounding wetland areas. –Expands 15 acres per day –Threatens biodiversity of Florida’s Everglades – World Heritage ecosystem –Economic losses approx. $170 million/year

Invasive Species Impact on U.S. Agriculture Solution: Solution: –Identify effective biological control agents –Safest & most economical for sustainable management –Utilize large consortium of Federal, State, local and private sector customers & stakeholders to support management

International Partners ARS Australian Biological Control Laboratory (ABCL), Brisbane, Australia ARS Australian Biological Control Laboratory (ABCL), Brisbane, Australia ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory (IPRL), Florida ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory (IPRL), Florida Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Australia Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Australia South Florida Water Management District South Florida Water Management District University of Florida University of Florida U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Department of Interior - National Park Service U.S. Department of Interior - National Park Service Dade County Dade County Lee County Lee County

ARS Australian Biological Control Laboratory ABCL was established in 1995 through a Specific Cooperative Agreement with CSIRO to focus on Florida Everglades Restoration. ABCL was established in 1995 through a Specific Cooperative Agreement with CSIRO to focus on Florida Everglades Restoration. Studies include Australian broad-leaved paperbark tree, old world climbing fern, Australian Pine, hydrilla, skunk vine and melaleuca, and released 6 agents to U.S. Studies include Australian broad-leaved paperbark tree, old world climbing fern, Australian Pine, hydrilla, skunk vine and melaleuca, and released 6 agents to U.S.

ARS Efforts to Combat Invasive Species IPRL and ABCL scientists collected and identified over 450 insect species that feed on melaleuca and its close relatives IPRL and ABCL scientists collected and identified over 450 insect species that feed on melaleuca and its close relatives Two selected for further evaluation and released in Florida in 1997 & 2002 Two selected for further evaluation and released in Florida in 1997 & 2002 Total of 1.9 million weevils & psyllids released in 319 localities within 15 counties in central and southern Florida Total of 1.9 million weevils & psyllids released in 319 localities within 15 counties in central and southern Florida

Joint Project = Success Impact: Impact: – –Seed production reduction to 90% – –Stand densities reduced >70% – –Melaleuca nearly gone from public lands – –Native plants reappearing The Area Wide Management Program of Melaleuca (TAME Melaleuca) – Consortium of Federal, State, County & Local partners The Area Wide Management Program of Melaleuca (TAME Melaleuca) – Consortium of Federal, State, County & Local partners IPRL, South Florida Water Management District, University of Florida received a top ARS technology transfer award in IPRL, South Florida Water Management District, University of Florida received a top ARS technology transfer award in 2006.

Contact Info Melanie Peterson International Affairs Specialist Office of International Research Programs Agricultural Research Service, USDA Tel: Fax: