CRC for National Plant Biosecurity

The project consists of a number of training activities designed to improve both diagnostic skills and capability for Plant Quarantine in Thailand. Areas of focus include 1. Targeted taxonomic training, 2. Molecular training and the establishment of a molecular diagnostic laboratory in Bangkok, 3. Remote Microscope Diagnostics and the use of web-based, diagnostic information databases for the identification of pests and 4. Some general surveillance training. Most of the activities consist of Thai scientists training in Australia with an expert which is followed by a workshop in Thailand.
In the case of taxonomic training, two Thai scientists have trained in Australia in areas of specific interest to Plant Quarantine - the identification of exotic nematodes and the identification of exotic fungi and bacteria associated with export seed. A follow-up workshop will take place in Thailand later this year in these two areas of interest. The follow-up workshops will help reinforce skills by allowing Thai scientists to apply techniques in their own laboratories. This reciprocal training process will be repeated each year of the project, with the Thai scientists visiting different laboratories and training with different experts in Australia each year.
Molecular training is the most intensive component of the project, with four Thai scientists being trained for a period of three months in Australian laboratories each year. Again, training is in specific areas that relate to pests of important industries in Thailand. These include molecular diagnostics for fruit fly, citrus canker, black spot, potato spindle tuber viroid and general virus detection. Each training period in Australia will be followed with a workshop in Thailand to reinforce skills. During the first of these follow-up workshops, a molecular diagnostics lab was established in Bangkok with new equipment purchased with project funds. Under supervision from Australian scientists, the trainees repeated tests learned in Australia under their new laboratory conditions. We expect that this program will greatly increase the molecular capability of Plant Quarantine as the same four scientists will be trained throughout the project and each should attain a high level of skill, with the expectation that they will be capable of developing their own diagnostic protocols within the three years. At the same time, they are building close relationships with Australian scientists which are likely to continue beyond the life of the project.
The concept of Remote Microscope Diagnostics (RMDs) is attractive because it allows non-experts in remote locations, to interact with diagnostic experts in real time, to identify a pest specimen. Of immediate application to insect identifications, RMDs use the internet to connect a microscope to a computer in another location. Specimens placed under the microscope can be viewed by an expert anywhere else in the world and both the non-expert and the expert can communicate with each other to establish an identification. This means that identifications can be fast and accurate, with the non-expert gaining some specific diagnostic training from the expert during the process. This system has the power to amplify the diagnostic capacity at remote ports of entry where staff may have only general diagnostic skills. It can be used in conjunction with web-based diagnostic tools such as the Plant and Disease Image Library (PaDIL) and the Plant Biosecurity Toolbox (PBT). As well as specific identifications, RMDs can be used as a training tool where an expert can connect to several remote computers simultaneously and provide taxonomic instruction using specimens as examples.
Microscope equipment and RM hardware has been purchased, assembled and tested in Australia prior to being installed in Thailand. Instruction manuals have been produced to provide a reference for Thai scientists. A workshop will be held later this year to install the equipment and to train Thai staff in its use. Additional training in the use of PaDIL and the PBT will be provided as well as training for the capture and storage of images to create a diagnostic library relevant to Thailand. We will install equipment and train staff in Bangkok and at the northern border port of Chiang Rai, so that an RMD network is established within the country.
The final aspect of the project is surveillance training in Australia to be conducted later this year. The form this training will take may be modified following recent discussions with the PC, who have instead expressed a desire for some training in the development of incursion management plans, as they currently do not have any contingency plans in the event of an exotic incursion. I believe that it is important that we are open and flexible to the needs of the PC and are willing to alter the activities of the project as they require.
Despite delays in completing some scheduled activities (see 8. Problems and Opportunities), good progress has been made in taxonomic and molecular diagnostic training, and strong relationships have been formed between Australian and Thai scientists. Much groundwork has been laid for future activities, including the purchase of capital equipment, the development of training manuals and planned dates for training workshops both here and in Thailand. The Australian project leader, Dr Gary Kong recently spent a week with Thai project leaders, Mr Udorn Unahawutti and Dr Walaikorn Rattanadechakul, discussing the project and planning for future activities. The discussions were very productive and established a good working relationship for future planning and execution of project activities.

The project consists of a number of training activities designed to improve both diagnostic skills and capability for Plant Quarantine in Thailand. Areas of focus include 1. Targeted taxonomic training, 2. Molecular training and the establishment of a molecular diagnostic laboratory in Bangkok, 3. Remote Microscope Diagnostics and the use of web-based, diagnostic information databases for the identification of pests and 4. Some general surveillance training. Most of the activities consist of Thai scientists training in Australia with an expert which is followed by a workshop in Thailand.
In the case of taxonomic training, two Thai scientists have trained in Australia in areas of specific interest to Plant Quarantine - the identification of exotic nematodes and the identification of exotic fungi and bacteria associated with export seed. A follow-up workshop took place in Thailand in these two areas of interest. The follow-up workshops are designed to reinforce skills by allowing Thai scientists to apply techniques in their own laboratories. This reciprocal training process will be repeated each year of the project, and where appropriate, Thai scientists will visit different laboratories and train with different experts in Australia each year.
Molecular training is the most intensive component of the project, with four Thai scientists being trained for a period of two months in Australian laboratories each year. Again, training is in specific areas that relate to pests of important industries in Thailand. These include molecular diagnostics for fruit fly, citrus canker, black spot, potato spindle tuber viroid and general virus detection. Each training period in Australia will be followed with a workshop in Thailand to reinforce skills. During the first of these follow-up workshops, a molecular diagnostics lab was established in Bangkok with new equipment purchased with project funds. Under supervision from Australian scientists, the trainees repeated tests learned in Australia under their new laboratory conditions. In this current year, Australian scientists facilitated a workshop in which the Thai trainees developed their own molecular training course and trained their own staff. This workshop was highly successful and demonstrated the level of proficiency attained by the Thai molecular biologists during the project. This program has greatly increased the molecular capability of Plant Quarantine and we expect that these scientists will be capable of developing their own diagnostic protocols within the next year of the project. At the same time, they are building close relationships with Australian scientists which are likely to continue beyond the life of the project.
The concept of Remote Microscope Diagnostics (RMDs) is attractive because it allows non-experts in remote locations, to interact with diagnostic experts in real time, to identify a pest specimen. Of immediate application to insect identifications, RMDs use the internet to connect a microscope to a computer in another location. Specimens placed under the microscope can be viewed by an expert anywhere else in the world and both the non-expert and the expert can communicate with each other to establish an identification. This means that identifications can be fast and accurate, with the non-expert gaining some specific diagnostic training from the expert during the process. This system has the power to amplify the diagnostic capacity at remote ports of entry where staff may have only general diagnostic skills. It can be used in conjunction with web-based diagnostic tools such as the Plant and Disease Image Library (PaDIL) and the Plant Biosecurity Toolbox (PBT). As well as specific identifications, RMDs can be used as a training tool where an expert can connect to several remote computers simultaneously and provide taxonomic instruction using specimens as examples.
Microscope equipment and RM hardware was purchased, assembled and tested in Australia prior to being installed in Thailand during this past year. Instruction manuals were produced to provide a reference for Thai scientists and workshops were held in Bangkok and Chiang Rai this year to install the equipment and to train Thai staff in its use. Additional training in the use of PaDIL and the PBT was provided as well as training for the capture and storage of images to create a diagnostic library relevant to Thailand. In addition, RM equipment provided by AusAid was installed in the DOA entomology lab and entomology staff attended the workshops that were conducted. By the end of the workshop, Thai staff were capable of conducting RM, capturing and processing images and authoring pages in PaDIL.
Since we installed the RM equipment, we have engaged the PQ scientists in Bangkok in RM sessions with ourselves at ANIC in Canberra and with staff in Vientianne, in the Laos PDR where we have also installed equipment. Our aim is to ensure proficiency in the use of RM technology and to encourage user networks in the region to enhance diagnostic capability.
The final aspect of the project is surveillance training in Australia , however, following further discussions with Mr Udorn Unahawatti this training will proceed as a variety of activities including instruction in the development of Contingency Plans, diagnostic processes in quarantine facilities and border surveillance activities. I believe that it is important that we are open and flexible to the needs of the PQ and are willing to alter the activities of the project as they require.
Despite delays in completing some scheduled activities (see 8. Problems and Opportunities), good progress has been made in taxonomic and molecular diagnostic training, and strong relationships have been formed between Australian and Thai scientists. Thai staff have shown excellent progress and proficiency in all aspects of the diagnostic training that we are providing, particularly in molecular diagnostics. There has been a concerted effort on behalf of the DOA to capitalise on project activities, by investing in better facilities for both molecular diagnostics and RM.
Finally, project leader Dr Gary Kong has participated in several training workshops in Thailand and taken every opportunity to discuss progress and plan future training with both DOA managers ( Mr Udorn Unahawutti and Dr Walaikorn Rattanadechakul), and Australain scientists involved in training. Feedback is an important aspect delivering relevant information to ensure success of future training activities. Despite delays in completion of activities due to civil unrest in Thailand, we have made significant progress in meeting the objectives of this project, and this is reflected in both the improved facilities and proficiency of staff in PQ, Bangkok.