Kick-off Meeting ISPAVE, Rome, Italy Monday February 28 th 2005 V IRO T ICA Co-ordination of Research on Genetic Resistance to Plant Pathogenic Viruses, and their Vectors, in European Crops Project overview Dr. Mark Pullinger, Chalex Research Ltd.

Overview of Chalex Chalex Research Based in sunny Torquay on the English Riviera 16 permanent staff Range of scientific backgrounds  Chemistry  Physics  Biology  Marine biology Operations Scientific consultancy Project management Proposal writing Literature reviews Legislation reviews

History of V IRO T ICA Call for proposals published in summer 2003 Two consortia began to prepare proposals Some contact between co-ordinators, but no agreement reached Two proposals submitted on February 5 th 2004 V IROGEN and C ONVERGER -CA Both projects favourably evaluated European Commission favoured merger Discussions between co-ordinators revealed complementary aims Meeting in Brussels arranged to discuss fine details of merger Agreed to merge proposals under new acronym: V IRO T ICA

History of V IRO T ICA (2) Combined management structure Chalex (V IROGEN ) would act as project co-ordinator  Responsible for administration and co-ordination Senior C ONVERGER -CA partners would be chief scientific participants  Scientific ‘drivers’ behind project Drafting of technical annex Work packages drafted based on original proposals ‘Best bits’ retained from each, strengthened by fresh input Deliverables strengthened during negotiation sessions Very high project budget, due to large combined consortium

Current status of V IRO T ICA Project awaiting issue of contract Budget figures approved Technical annex approved as ‘final’ Next contract batch prepared March 8 th and 9 th Retroactive start date: February 1 st 2005 Outstanding issues Several consortium agreements outstanding Some new legal documents might be required by EC Bank account details required from all participants Form A from all participants  Once EC issues contract

Objectives of V IRO T ICA Co-ordinate and map cutting-edge research activities on resistance to plant viruses/vectors in Europe Overall objective To review scientific literature and document progress towards using resistance to plant viruses/vectors Highlight most promising areas for future research Identify Centres of Activity to enhance the consortium Add further associate members Goal to make V IRO T ICA the leading European forum for research into this topic

Objectives of V IRO T ICA (2) Identify recent technological advances and advise on new policies that can improve resistance to plant pathogenic viruses/vectors Specialist studies Expert group meetings Harmonise national and European standards, legislation, ethical issues, codes of practice and regulations in this field Highlight loopholes and identify best practice Identify barriers to development and use of new resistant varieties Analyse and raise profile through specialist workshops

Objectives of V IRO T ICA (3) Provide an on-line European database, linked to existing web sites and databases Map research activities in Europe and beyond Promote collaboration with European industry Strengthen Europe’s leadership in field Disseminate the project’s results to experts, and members of the public Web site International Conference Technology transfer programme Specialist workshops Staff exchange programme

Objectives of V IRO T ICA (4) Create & enhance good communication between partners and develop permanent research links Electronic communication tools Expansion of consortium Provide a framework to encourage complementary research programmes across the ERA Help unite research into topic Place V IRO T ICA in prime position to bid for subsequent funding

Methodology Q. How will objectives be achieved? A. As per description in the Technical Annex Q. How will performance be measured? A. By regular communication and at project meetings Assessment of milestones and deliverables Q. How often are these meetings held? A. Every 6 months (with possible emergency meetings) Q. Who is responsible for ensuring the work is done? A. The project co-ordinator Assisted by chief scientific participants (IGCEB, CSIC)

Structure WP1: Project management and further development Responsible for smooth running of all other work packages WP3: Co-ordination of research on problems caused by viruses and vectors, and their methods of control Will exchange information with WP2, WP4, WP5 and WP6, and feed information to WP7 WP2: Survey and database of European resources and centres of activity Will exchange information with WP3 and feed information to WP4, WP5, WP6 and WP7 WP4: Analysis of standards, legislation, ethical issues, codes of practice, regulations, and intellectual property issues Will exchange information with WP3, feed information to WP5 and WP7 and get input from WP2 WP5: Resistance, and innovation and transgenic, workshops to improve the genetic control of virus / vector resistance Will exchange information with WP3, feed information toWP6 and WP7, and get input form WP2 and WP4 WP7: Dissemination and technology transfer Will get input from WP2, WP3, WP4, WP5 and WP6 WP6: International Conference on "Use of genetic resistance as a tool to control plant pathogenic viruses / vectors" Will exchange information with WP3, feed information to WP7, and will get input from WP2 and WP5

Project timeframe

Role of project co-ordinator Chalex will: Act as liaison point with EC Monitor work package progress Help to assess and manage technical risks Produce biannual progress reports Help to organise all meetings Produce financial statements Facilitate smooth running of the network Attempt to develop collaborations with other projects Act as secretary to management steering board

Role of chief scientific participants ICCGEB/CSIC will: Assist Chalex with scientific management of project Be principal representative at external events Chair technical sessions of meetings Chair Management Steering Board meetings Act as secretaries to Management Board meetings Assist Chalex with any technical issues that might arise Whom to contact? Administrative query – Chalex  Financial statements, reporting, meeting scheduling, etc. Scientific query – ICGEB/CSIC  Clarification of scope of workplan, suitability of associate members, etc.

Immediate work planning What must be decided today? WP1 – Project management  Agreement on draft web site structure WP2 – Literature survey and centres of activity database  Strategy for literature survey  Structure for online database WP3 – Research co-ordination  Confirmation of expert group topics  Appointment of expert group leaders WP4 – Standards, legislation and codes of practice  Strategy for literature survey WP5 – Specialist workshops  Initial planning for first workshop

Any questions? Comments, suggestions, queries?