TerraGenome Roundtable ISME-13

Title: TerraGenome Roundable – International Consortium on Soil Metagenomics

Proposer(s): Janet Jansson (LBNL), James Tiedje (MSU), Mark Bailey (Oxford, UK), Pascal Simonet (ec-Lyon), George Kowalchuk (NIOO), Dave Myrold (Oregon State Univ.), Jizhong Zhou (Oklahoma State. Univ.)

Description: Soil microbial communities are known to be drivers of major geochemical cycles, to support healthy plant growth, and to degrade organic matter and pollutants. However, little is known about the vulnerability of their key functions and how they respond to (and buffer) human-induced environmental perturbations, such as climate change and land use. The genetic resources in only a single gram of soil are huge with 1,000 times more sequences than in the human genome. However, only a fraction (less than 1%) of the microbiota extant in soil has yet been cultivated using any of an array of techniques. In addition, few environmentally isolated bacteria have been completely sequenced since most sequencing has targeted microorganisms from other ecosystems, such as extreme environments or human pathogens. Fortunately, recent advances in 2nd generation sequencing approaches have now made sequencing of the soil metagenome a real possiblity. Information gleaned from soil metagenomics holds great promise to increase our understanding of gene diversity and function in the soil environment and has potential to provide a greater understanding of soil microbial processes. This proposed roundtable will therefore bring together scientists interested in the use of metagenomics to explore the composition and function of soil ecosystems. This initiative will build upon the recently launched TerraGenome consortium (www.terragenome.org), an international consortium of scientists interested in exploring opportunities for soil metagenomics and establishing standards and protocols for metagenomic sequencing. This will be a subject discussion centered around the following 5 short 10 minute talks, leaving most room for discussion:

1. Introduction to TerraGenome & Metadata standards (James Tiedje)
2. The TerraGenome Pilot initiative: Rothamsted soil metagenomics update (Tim Vogel)
3. Short update on other soil metagenomic sequencing projects (Janet Jansson)
4. The next stage for TerraGenome (Dave Myrold)

Structured discussion led by George Kowalchuk, James Tiedje and David Myrold (Possibilities & Pitfalls). For example: (1) experiences with different sequencing platforms, (2) bioinformatics challenges, (3) trade-offs between sequencing depth and spatial/temporal variation, (4) progress in integrating with transcriptome and proteome studies. We will also aim to generate a list of current projects with some brief description of location, soil type, management, etc.

Timing:
Monday evening 17:30-19:30