Conference abbreviation: ISHAM - Malassezia
Title:
ASM microbe 2016
Date uploaded: 20 October 2017
Conference Year: 2018
Postal Address:
Utrecht, Netherlands
Location:
Utrecht, Netherlands
Further information:
This is not the first Malassezia-related workshop type meeting as Aristea Velegraki quite some time ago organized a similar meeting in 2009, Athens Greece. However, The field of Malassezia fundamental, applied and clinical biology has developed enormously over the last decade. The number of species recognized reached 17, and several other new species are expected to be described in the near future. The clinical importance of several species on human and animal skin is well documented, as is the occurrence of some species in sepsis. Attempts to harmonize treatment options are underway, whole genome datasets of all species are already available or will become available in the near future, and skin mycobiome investigations have highlighted the importance of these yeasts on human skin. Environmental metabarcoding, surprisingly, revealed the likely presence of several species in natural marine and terrestrial environments, mainly associated with a diversity of invertebrates. Last but not least, recently, gene knock out protocols have been developed thus allowing studies of gene function.
Two study groups are involved in these studies: 1. The ISHAM working group on Malassezia epidemiology and pathobiology, which is primarily clinical and veterinary in nature; and 2. the Malassezia Research Consortium, which is primarily focused on basic research. Unfortunately these two groups operate largely independent from each other. However, contributors form both research communities contributed recently to some joint reviews, e.g. Plos Pathogens and Medical Mycology, ISHAM 2018 thematic issues (under review).
During the planned post ISHAM 2018 Malassezia workshop we want to invite members of both communities to enhance clinical, veterinary and scientific interactions to foster the benefit of the patients and to improve future Malassezia-based research. In our opinion such improved interactions will strongly benefit both clinical and fundamental science and research. During the Malassezia workshop we propose to have a number of keynotes of 30 minutes each delivered by high profile scientists addressing both clinical needs and how fundamental research can contribute to enhance our understanding of Malassezia pathobiology.
Keynote topics:
1. Biodiversity and ecology of Malassezia yeasts.
2. Clinical importance of Malassezia-related infections and clinical needs.
3. Host/Immune interactions of Malassezia spp.
4. Genomics of Malassezia and the genetic toolbox.
5. Malassezia-related mycobiome, including from the environment.
For the remainder of the program we favour a bottom up approach giving researchers from both communities opportunity to present their work in short (10/15 min) talks. Topics will be presented grouped by those of the keynotes, but additional topics may include, e.g. treatment options, diagnostics, mating, the genetic tool box, biochemistry, including cell wall and lipidomics, etc.
During the second day a 2 hour round-table/discussion will address clinical/veterinary/research priorities that emerge during the meeting, and to see how one can improve interactions between both communities [and discuss potential benefits of a merger]. The outcome will be a strategic white paper how to achieve the various aims and synergize collaborations across the Malassezia research arena.
The Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute will make a meeting room available free of charge, that can hold ca. 120 people and includes up to date projection equipment. We will also look into possibilities to have the meeting streamed on-line if possible and warranted.
Start and End Date: 20 October 2017, 20 October 2017
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