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Summary

In this engaging presentation, Beatric, a research technician from CSIRO, shares insights into using genomic tools for bio-control research. She highlights how traditional bio-control methods are enhanced with genomics, focusing on the identification of bioactive compounds in fungi and the potential of BT toxins. By using software like AntiSMASH, Beatric demonstrates how genomics aids in pinpointing insecticidal properties and harmful metabolites. Her work, part of a collaborative project with Macquarie University, explores innovative methods for controlling pests like the Fall Armyworm. She emphasizes how genomics can uncover hidden potential and guide safe bio-control development.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is a research technician at CSIRO in Canberra, Australia, originally from Thailand.
• 😀 The talk focuses on using genomics to identify potential biocontrol candidates and bioactive compounds for pest control, particularly for the fall armyworm.
• 😀 Traditional methods for identifying biocontrol agents involve bioassays to test the effectiveness of different fungal isolates or BT strains against pests.
• 😀 Genomics offers a powerful tool to help identify bioactive compounds, such as insecticidal toxins, within fungal and bacterial genomes.
• 😀 The speaker highlights the use of AntiSMASH software to identify biosynthesis gene clusters in fungal genomes that may lead to the discovery of new insecticidal compounds.
• 😀 The study involves collaboration between CSIRO and Macquarie University to identify endemic Australian or New Zealand biocontrol agents for the fall armyworm.
• 😀 One promising fungal isolate, Metarhizium, showed strong efficacy against the fall armyworm and had a gene cluster linked to insecticidal properties.
• 😀 Some fungal strains contain gene clusters that could potentially lead to pharmaceutical drug development, including one cluster associated with cancer treatment.
• 😀 AntiSMASH also helps identify potential harmful metabolites in biocontrol agents, which could be toxic to non-target organisms like mammals.
• 😀 The speaker also discussed how they identified novel BT toxin sequences using genome annotation and phylogenetic analysis, which could be new tools for pest control.
• 😀 Future work includes expressing the novel BT toxin in E. coli to test its effectiveness against the fall armyworm and other insect species.

Q & A

What is the focus of the speaker's talk?

The speaker's talk focuses on the use of genomics to identify potential biological control agents, specifically for the Four Army Worm. The talk covers traditional methods of identifying bio-control candidates, as well as how genomic techniques help in understanding bioactive compounds and identifying BT toxins.

What is AntiSMASH and how is it used in the speaker's research?

AntiSMASH is a software tool used to identify biosynthesis gene clusters in microbial genomes. In the speaker's research, it was used to analyze the genomes of fungal bio-control agents to identify potential bioactive compounds and insecticidal properties, such as those found in Metarhizium isolates.

Why is genomics important for identifying potential bioactive compounds in fungi?

Genomics is crucial for identifying bioactive compounds because it allows researchers to examine the full genetic potential of organisms, such as fungi, by revealing gene clusters that could produce useful metabolites like insecticides. This process helps pinpoint compounds that may be effective as bio-control agents.

What was the significance of the 'Dextrusin A' cluster found in Metarhizium isolates?

The 'Dextrusin A' cluster in Metarhizium isolates is significant because it is known to have insecticidal properties. This finding suggests that it might contribute to the effectiveness of certain fungal isolates as bio-control agents against the Four Army Worm, although further research is required to confirm this.

What challenge did the speaker highlight regarding the potential toxicity of bio-control agents?

The speaker pointed out that while some fungal isolates might contain clusters for insecticidal compounds, they could also potentially produce harmful metabolites for other species, such as mammals. This is an important consideration when developing bio-control agents, as it is critical to avoid harming non-target organisms.

How did the speaker use genomic tools to identify BT toxin sequences?

The speaker used genomic annotation to identify genes related to BT toxins, such as Cry proteins, and then confirmed these sequences by comparing them against known toxin databases (like GenBank). Phylogenetic analysis was also employed to identify the exact type of BT toxin present in the isolates.

What was the most exciting discovery in the speaker's research related to BT toxins?

The most exciting discovery was the identification of a potentially new BT toxin in one isolate, referred to as BT02. The sequence of this toxin resembled Cry toxins but did not match any known toxins, indicating it could be a novel toxin with potential efficacy against the Four Army Worm.

What are the next steps in the research according to the speaker?

The next steps in the research involve expressing the new BT toxin in E. coli and testing its effectiveness against the Four Army Worm and other insect species. The speaker also mentions the need to further investigate the unknown aspects of the genome to understand how these toxins work.

How does genomics contribute to the development of safer bio-control agents?

Genomics helps identify harmful compounds and metabolites within the genomes of potential bio-control agents, allowing researchers to assess the risks and ensure that the agents do not produce substances harmful to other species. This preemptive analysis is vital for developing bio-control agents that are both effective and safe.

What was the role of the collaboration between CSIRO and Macquarie University in this research?

The collaboration between CSIRO and Macquarie University focused on identifying endemic Australian and New Zealand bio-control agents for the Four Army Worm. The project leveraged genomic tools to analyze and test fungal isolates and BT toxins, contributing valuable data to the broader field of biological control.