On April 22 and 23, 2014 a special type of workshop on Fungal Barcoding will be organized. A set of model strains of two species (complexes) has been sent out to potential speakers who will present their methods, with hypotheses, limitations, calibrations, pitfalls etc. using to this same set of strains. With this innovative approach we plan to devote an entire day to state-of-the-art methodologies in mycology. The methods presented are highly diverse and include phylogeny, immunology, virulence factors, antifungal susceptibility, several types of animal models, and others. The second workshop day will be available for free communications.

The workshop takes place directly after Eastern, and in the middle of the tulip season in The Netherlands. It is therefore recommended not to wait too long with booking your flight and hotel. The workshop is free of charge and you will get free dinners in the historical centre of Utrecht, but we will be unable to sponsor hotels and flight tickets. Registration is compulsory. Free before 15 April. for on-site registration and no-show €100,- will be charged. Abstract submission deadline is 1 April 2014

All relevant information and a registration form can be found on the website. Submit your abstract to the CBS according to this format.

Previous important and successful CBS Spring Symposia, One Fungus = One Name (2011), One Fungus = Which Name (2012) and One Fungus = Which Genes (2013) had a great impact on the mycological community. The CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre has now started with the preparation of the 2014 Spring Symposium, “Genera and Genomes” which takes place on 24-25 April 2014. The main topic of the symposium will be on how to integrate multigene DNA and genome data to make informed decisions about generic limits, and how to merge asexual and sexual generic names following changes to the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants. Furthermore, procedures to fix the genetic application of generic names by obtaining ex-type or ex-epitype isolates for whole genome analysis need to be addressed. Subsequent genomic information will provide reference information for a stable taxonomic system to understand how fungi interact in natural and synthetic communities.

Abstracts for poster presentations are welcome. Submit these abstract to Rob Samson (r.samson@cbs.knaw.nl) before April 1 2014.

Plant pathogenic and endophytic Botryosphaeriales known from culture
Editor(s): Alan J.L. Phillips, Bernard Slippers, Johannes Z. Groenewald and Pedro W. Crous
Details: 167 pp., fully illustrated with colour pictures (A4 format), paperback, 2013
Price: € 65,-

ISBN:978-90-70351-97-7

On the 9th of January 2014, an international workshop on clinical Fusarium and fusariosis was held in Coimbatore, India in conjunction with the SIHAM2014 conference of the Indian Society for Human and Animal Mycology. The workshop was organized by the Dept of Microbiology, PSG, and Aravind Eye Hospital in Coimbatore, the LV Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad and the CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, with support from the international society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM).

At the workshop national and international experts on Fusarium infections gave an overview on topics ranging from Fusarium taxonomy to diagnostics and (antifungal) treatment. Over the past decades clinical data show that the numbers of all types of infections caused by Fusarium species are increasing. The fusarioses can be classified in three classes: 1) Superficial infections of skin and nails; 2) Keratitis of the eye, and 3) Deep and disseminated infections. Whereas the first two types of these opportunistic infections are mostly seen in immunocompetent hosts, the deeper mycoses are mostly restricted to immunodeficient patients. In India especially the fusarial keratitis have a high incidence and morbidity.

A next, two day, workshop on clinical Fusarium and fusariosis will be held at the CBS in Utrecht on the 20the and 21st of April 2015. For more information contact Anne van Diepeningen