1st Cross-continent Eremophila Conference

Bringing the Eremophila Community Together –
Current and Future Perspectives
of a Treasure of the Australian Deserts
Taxonomy, bioactivity, pathway discovery, bioproduction
Traditional and future uses
28-29 October 2019
University of Melbourne

Programme

Monday 28 Oct

Session 1: Taxonomy of Eremophila
9-9.10: Welcome
9.10-10.20: Talks
10.20-10.35 Break
10.35-11.20: Flash talks
11.20-12.15: Discussion Panel
The session will explore the botanical characteristics and collection of Eremophila in Western Australia, herbarium specimens and private collections followed by Eremophila phylogeny based on classical as well as genomics and chemometric approaches.
Speakers in the session are:
Birger Lindberg Møller, Bevan Buirchell, Bob Chinnock, Mike Bayly, Rachael Fowler and Oliver Gericke
Flash talks: We are inviting everyone to part take in the flash talks for introductions of your science to the community/participants
The Panel Discussion will explore the knowledge sharing needed between researchers with different expertise as well as knowledge gaps to be filled by new funding initiatives.
Panel: Birger Lindberg Møller, Bevan Buirchell, Bob Chinnock, Mike Bayly, Rachael Fowler, Oliver Gericke, Ron Dadd and Phil James

12.15-13.15 Lunch

Session 2: Biodiscovery in Australia: Exploration and learning/best practice for inclusion and benefit of Aboriginal communities
Chair of this session: Susan Semple
13.15-13.20: Introduction to session
13.20-14.20: Talks
14.20-14.35: Break
14.35-15.30: Talks
15.30-16.30: Panel Discussion
The aim of the session is to bring people together to explore and discuss the best way to include indigenous people in the project, how to develop a trust for their benefit (to support e.g. language preservation, preserving knowledge, protection of IP).
Speakers in the session are:
Susan Semple, David Claudie, Daniel Robinson, Margaret Raven, Peta Cobourn, Joanne Jamie, Andrew Gledow.
Flash talk by: Colette Geier
Flash talks: We are inviting everyone to part take in the flash talks for introductions of your science to the community/participants
Panel Discussion: Susan Semple, David Claudie, Daniel Robinson, Margaret Raven, Peta Cobourn, Joanne Jamie, Andrew Gleadow and Colette Geier

16.30-18: Poster Session
Mingling + pre-dinner drinks and snacks
PhDs and Postdocs are encouraged to bring and showcase posters of your science for presentation and discussion

Conference Dinner at University House

Tuesday 29 Oct

Session 3: Target Molecules, Plant Pathway Discovery & Bioproduction
9-9.05: Welcome and introductions
9.05-10.20: Talks
10.20-10.45: break
11.45-11.15: Flash talks
11.15-12: Panel Discussion
The session will explore the interconnected work in establishing proper sample handling, compound isolation, structural characterization, reference compounds, , choice of target molecules and documentation.
Speakers in the session are:
Susan Semple, Chi Ndi, Dan Stærk, Birger Lindberg Møller, Lyndal Thorburn and Ken Bruce Warnes
Flash talks: We are inviting everyone to part take in the flash talks for introductions of your science to the community/participants
Panel Discussion:
Susan Semple, Dan Stærk, Birger Lindberg Møller and Chi Ndi

12-13 Lunch

Session 4: Eremophila for the Future
- from basic discoveries to environmental applications and societal benefits
13-13.05: Welcome and introduction to session
13.05-13.55: Talks
13.55-14.10: Break
14.10-15.10: Talks
15.10-16: Panel discussion: Moving ahead
16: Thank you & see you soon
The purpose of the session:
Is to explore two significant aspects of the future directions for Eremophila research.
1) Knowledge of the complex ecological interactions e.g. between of plant-plant and plant-insects, regulation and transport of compounds and the effects of subtle or larger climate changes’ effect on drought resistance. Pollination and survival
2) The exploration of pharmaceutical uses of Eremophila sesqui- and diterpenoids and other natural products with particular focus on the dopamine receptor/transporters involved in motor related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s via a wide variety of bioassays.
Speakers in the session are:
Claus Juul Løland, Rohan Davis, Daniel Murphy, Michael Whitehead and Bevan Buirchell
Panel Discussion:
Claus Juul Løland, Rohan Davis, Daniel Murphy, Michael Whitehead, Dan Stærk, Susan Semple, Birger Lindberg Møller and Bevan Buirchell