Lectures of the Croatian Biological Society

Zagreb, September 6th, 2007

Croatian Biological Society

invites you to the lecture

Delano James, PhD.
Head, Research Section. Sidney Laboratory - Centre for Plant Health, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Sidney, BC, Canada.

Virus classification: a challenging and evolving process

Virus classification is essential for understanding the origins, and evolutionary relationships of viruses. Classification is also essential for virus identification, control and the development of regulations. In the case of plant health regulations accurate virus classification facilitates the development of effective regulations and policies to prevent the importation, exportation, and spread of viruses injurious to plants. Originally virus classification was based on morphology (shape and appearance), and on biology (e.g., mode of transmission, host range, etc.). This resulted often in incorrect classification of viruses and did not reflect the true diversity that existed. More recently, virus classification has been based on genome sequence data analysis. This has allowed more accurate virus identification, and determination of evolutionary relationships. Virus classification based on genome sequence data is an evolving process. Accuracy of classification is limited by the available data, and as more data becomes available it is often necessary to revise the existing classification. Classification of plant viruses is a very challenging process. These viruses are enigmatic in that similar diseases may be associated with different viruses, also different strains of the same virus may have different geographic distribution, different hosts, and/or cause very distinct diseases. This creates a challenge for plant virus disease control and regulation. Clear and definitive classification at both the species and strain levels are important in developing effective management tools.

Tuesday, October 2nd 2007 at 6 PM
Lecture room BO1 (ground floor, to the right) of the Division of Biology
of the Faculty of Science
Roosevelt Square 6, Zagreb

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