2nd Annual Argonne Soils Workshop
6–8 October, 2010
Substantial advances in sequencing technology and data analysis have revolutionized the field of microbial ecology. Soil ecology, in particular, desperately needs these new technologies to confront the astounding complexity of soil systems; however, there are practical and conceptual challenges to their utility in belowground ecosystem studies. As such, soil microbial ecologists need to understand the capabilities and limitations of metagenomics; molecular biologists and bioinformaticians need to understand the soil-relevant questions and contexts in which metagenomics techniques will be applied. This two-day workshop will connect these two groups of scientists to shape the trajectory of future successful soil metagenomics research.
The primary aim for the 2nd ANL Soils Workshop is to discuss the next generation of ecologically meaningful soil metagenomics research. Themes will include:
- developing hypothesis-driven field and lab studies amenable to metagenomic tools
- using suitable molecular biology techniques to extract and sequence genetic material
- expanding the analytical toolkit (bioinformatics and statistical) available for interpreting soil metagenomics data.
Date
October 7–8, 2010, with plenary annd reception the evening of the 6th.
Location
Theory and Computing Sciences Conference Center, Bld 240
Lodging is available on-site at the Argonne Guest House. {lodging and hotel info}* Please indicate that you will be attending the Soils Workshop when making your reservation.
Organizers
- Sarah O'Brien, Argonne National Laboratory
- Elizabeth Glass, Argonne National Laboratory and University of Chicago
- Dion Antonopoulos, Argonne National Laboratory and University of Chicago
- Jen Brulc, Argonne National Laboratory
- Folker Meyer, Argonne National Laboratory and University of Chicago
- Darlyn Mishur, Argonne National Laboratory