The document is an invitation letter from Professor Richard Whittington to Mr Romi Novriadi to attend a training workshop on controlling nodavirus disease in marine fish hatcheries. The workshop will be held in Sydney from September 5-13 and will provide theoretical and practical training in detecting disease caused by nervous necrosis virus using new PCR methodology. It will cover topics like sample collection strategies, diagnostic processes, and investigating disease outbreaks. All expenses for participants to attend will be covered by an ACIAR project grant.

1. Faculty of Veterinary Science
Farm Animal &
Veterinary Public Health
425 Werombi Road, Camden (Private Bag 3) NSW 2570 AUSTRALIA
Shute Building C01
Professor Richard Whittington Telephone +61 2 9351 1619
Facsimile +61 2 9351 1618
Email: richardw@camden.usyd.edu.au
5th June 2009
Mr Romi Novriadi
Balai Budidaya Laut Batam
PO Box 60 Sekupang
Batam 29422
INDONESIA
RE: ACIAR SRA project FIS/2005/137
Control of nodaviral disease in tropical marine finfish hatcheries: enhanced biosecurity
through the application of contemporary biotechnology, epidemiology and pathobiology
Dear Mr Novriadi,
A new Small Research Activity project funded through the Australian Centre for International
Agricultural Research has just commenced.
The specific objectives of this short-term project are to:
1. Evaluate :
(a) current biosecurity measures in select Indonesian marine finfish hatcheries; and,
(b) current diagnostic capacity in select Indonesian laboratories as a basis for determining
functional and operational improvements in hatchery management and control of VNN.
2. Enhance the knowledge base of Indonesian laboratory staff in aquatic animal pathology,
epidemiology and molecular diagnostics through training workshops at the University of
Sydney focussing on the use and limitations of PCR as a research tool to investigate the
epidemiology and pathogenesis of VNN.
3. Establish contemporary PCR technology for the diagnosis of VNN within select Indonesian
laboratories through transfer of technology supported by on-going collaboration and quality
assurance standards.
This short-term project on VNN offers considerable potential as a model on which research into the
epidemiology and pathogenesis of other significant diseases may be undertaken, providing a basis
on which disease control strategies may be integrated into overall aquaculture management
programs in Indonesia and Australia.
In order meet objectives 2 and 3 a training workshop will be held in Sydney from 5th – 13th
September inclusive. This workshop will provide theoretical and practical training in the detection

2. - 2 -
of disease caused by nodavirus (nervous necrosis virus, VNN). Specifically it will address new
PCR methodology, and its application in a diagnostic setting.
I have great pleasure in inviting you to attend this workshop following your nomination by Dr
Ketut Sugama.
A draft outline of the workshop and a suggested itinerary for your journey are appended to this
letter.
All travel costs including air fares, accommodation plus out of pocket expenses that are incurred by
participants will be met from ACIAR project funds.
I would appreciate receipt of your acceptance of this invitation by 30th June.
Yours sincerely
Professor Richard Whittington
Chair Farm Animal & Veterinary Public Health
cc: Dr Ketut Sugama
Director
Seed Development
Directorate General of Aquaculture
Jl. Harsono RM No. 3, Pasar Minggu
Jakarta
INDONESIA

3. - 3 -
Appendix
PROPOSED ITINERARY
Saturday 5th Sept Arrive Sydney, overnight Sydney
Sunday 6th Sept Travel to Camden, welcome dinner
Monday 7th Sept Workshop
Tuesday 8th Sept Workshop
Wednesday 9th Sept Workshop
Thursday 10th Sept Workshop
Friday 11th Sept Workshop
Saturday 12th Sept Travel to Sydney, overnight Sydney
Sunday 13th Sept Depart Sydney
Draft outline of workshop
Monday
Lectures: Introduction to NNV disease and diagnosis; tissue preparation methods and cell culture
Practical: tissue preparation methods for PCR and cell culture
Tuesday
Lectures: purification of nucleic acids; conventional and real time PCR for detection of NNV
Practical: nucleic acid purification; two tube PCR for NNV
Evening lecture and discussion session
Wednesday
Lectures: sampling strategies to detect NNV - certification compared to diagnosis
Practical: nucleic acid purification; real time PCR
Thursday
Lectures: the diagnostic process - infection compared to disease
Practical: post mortem techniques; tissue preparation, manual and automated nucleic acid
purification; conventional and real time PCR
Evening lecture and discussion session
Friday
Lectures: investigation of disease outbreaks - epidemiology and pathology
Practical: outbreak investigation; use of ancillary laboratory aids
Workshop closing session.