For more information:

Contact:	Steven A. Slack
E-mail:	oardc@osu.edu
Website:	http://nabc.cals.cornell.edu/

Organized by: National Agricultural Biotechnology Council

The conference theme is "What does the future hold for agricultural biotechnology?" Based on that theme, ICABR has issued the following

Call for Papers

1. Who benefited from biotechnology? Reassessing past impacts of biotechnology:

• Measuring the impacts on farmers in developed countries.
• Have past studies exaggerated the economic impacts in LDCs?
• Who gained and lost from trade in biotech products?
• What are the rates of return to government or private investments in biotech research?
• Assessing the environmental, health and ethical impacts of biotech.
  

• Biofuels.
• Grain.
• Consumer attitudes.
• Demand for food quality and safety, labeling, environmental quality.
• Ethics, income distribution.
  

• Global climate change - the need for technologically sustainable crop systems - new and growing demand for biotech due to drought and flooding, pests and diseases and a generalized increase in environmental uncertainty.
• $100/barrel for oil and increasingly expensive modern inputs.
• Increasing needs for capability building to adapt to climate change on the part of farmers and rural communities, also through expansion and improvement of local agricultural research.
  

• Government investments in research
• Food- and Biosafety Regulations
• Intellectual Property Rights.
• The political economy of biotechnology
• Industrial policies - state enterprises, anti-trust policies.
• Tax policies, liability laws, incubators, research parks.
• Role of Foundations and foreign aid donors in biotechnology investment and policies.

For more information:

Contact:	Organizing Committee
E-mail:	santaniello@economia.uniroma2.it
Telephone:	+39 06 7259 5928
Website:	http://www.economia.uniroma2.it/icabr/index.php?p=2

Organized by: International Consortium on Agricultural Biotechnology Research (ICABR)in collaboration with:
CEIS - University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rutgers University, Yale University, University of California, Berkeley, Leibniz University of Hannover, University of Missouri, University of Saskatchewan, Wageningen University

Opening Lectures:

For more information:

Website:

http://src.faseb.org/

Organized by: Mary Lou Guerinot, Dartmouth College Dennis J. Thiele, Duke University Medical Center

Adventitious rooting is an essential step in the vegetative propagation of economically important species. Current research on adventitious root formation and function is quite broad, ranging from the field to the physiological, molecular and the cellular level. Recently, remarkable progress has been made in the understanding of the mechanisms that regulate rooting through the application of the cutting-edge tools of genome and proteome analysis. The knowledge obtained in these studies points the way forward for strategies aimed at enhancing the quantity and quality of roots for desired end-uses. The challenge is to ensure that the investment that has been made in basic research truly adds value to economically important species.

In this spirit, the 5th International Meeting on Adventitious Root Formation will be held in Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain, in line with the previous meetings organized on this topic. The meeting will bring together speakers from applied and basic studies on root induction and development, including primary, lateral and shoot-borne roots. Sessions will include applied aspects of adventitious rooting in horticulture, agriculture or forestry, and root biology-oriented aspects such as competence, root induction and signalling, root meristem formation and activity or root system development.

Topics

• Applied and commercial aspects of adventitious rooting
• Donor plant effects
• Competence for rooting and other organogenic processes
• Root induction: auxin signalling and other regulators, environment etc
• Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of root formation
• Root meristem determination and root patterning
• Genomics, Proteomics and Root Systems Biology
• Root system development and biomass formation: nutritional states, environmental conditions (including stress), mycorrhization, root-shoot interactions, carbon and nitrogen sources, photosynthesis, water relations, nutrient partitioning etc.

For more information:

Contact:	Carmen Diaz-Sala
E-mail:	carmen.diazsala@uah.es, rooting2008@fgua.es
Website:	http://www.rooting2008.fgua.es

The objective of the meeting is to highlight recent advances in research on mobile genetic elements and their applications in genetics and biotechnology. The program includes functional and genetic studies on transposable elements. The conference will allow scientists from these interrelated fields to share information about exciting new findings, outstanding questions and promising applications. Sessions will include mechanism and regulation of transposition; host-transposon interactions; transposons as molecular tools for gene discovery using insertional mutagenesis and therapeutic transgene delivery for possible human applications.

For more information:

E-mail:	langer@mdc-berlin.de / martinovits@mdc-berlin.de
Telephone:	+49 30 9406 3720 / 9439 8315
Fax:	+49 30 9406 2206 / 9406 2547
Website:	https://conference.berlin-medien.de/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

For more information:

Website:

http://www.aspb.org/meetings/BioEnergy08

Organized by: American Society of Plant Biologists

Agenda:

For more information:

Website:

http://www.epsoweb.org/catalog/Conf2008.htm

Organized by: EPSO / CNRS / INRA / CIRAD

This conference aims to address the science and technology underpinning GMO control and analysis by bringing together international experts willing to share knowledge and participate in promoting international scientific dialogue across diverse yet interdependent areas such as:

• Sampling for GMO analysis;
• Analytical tools and applied procedures along the commodity production chains;
• Consistency of test results, result interpretation and reporting
• Harmonizing Standards for Detection of Genetically
• Modified Traits

This conference is aimed at all stakeholders involved in GMO control and analysis, including industry and regulators, and beyond.

For more information:

Contact:	European Commission - Joint Research Centre
E-mail:	gmo-global-conference@jrc.it
Telephone:	+39 0332 789315
Fax:	+39 0332 786159
Website:	http://gmoglobalconference.jrc.it/default.htm

Organized by: European Commission - Joint Research Centre
Institute for Health and Consumer Protection Biotechnology & GMOs Unit

Arsenic exhibits dynamic and complex chemical speciation in plants, interacting with inter and intra cellular transport, and its speciation ultimately impacts on risks posed by crops. There have been considerable molecular and analytical breakthroughs in arsenic speciation over the last few years, with a diverse range of advanced techniques opening a new and unheralded insight to cellular speciation, such as micro-XAS and coupled HPLC-ICP-MS - ESI-MS. Recently, arsenate reductases in plants were identified and characterised, advances have been made on As-PC ABC-type vacuolar transport, methylation pathways are starting to be unravelled, and the role of aquaporins in arsenite transport identified. Ultimately, the research should be focused on combining physiology and genetics to breed plants with low arsenic in edible plant parts, with the species of arsenic present being of low toxicity. In addition, there is also considerable interest in phytoremediation aspects - such as the arsenic hyperaccumulating ferns and Arabidopsis mutations that could lead to enhanced plant uptake and tolerance. The symposium will act as a catalyst to future research by bringing together leading researchers from all aspects of arsenic-plant research to identify synergies and strategies for using and adapting plants to combat environmental issues regarding arsenic. Contact Helen Pinfield-Wells newphytsymp@lancaster.ac.uk for more details.

For more information:

Website:

http://www.newphytologist.org/arsenic/default.htm

Organized by: Andy Meharg, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK Henk Schat, Amsterdam , The Netherlands Steve McGrath, Rothamsted, UK Helen Pinfield-Wells, New Phytologist, UK

For more information:

Website:

http://www.aspb.org/meetings/pb-2008

Organized by: American Society of Plant Biologists

Topics will include biosafety and biosecurity in veterinary clinics, animal research, and plant research and diagnostics.

Animal Session: July 9 and 10 will be animal oriented (3/4 day on large animal ABSL-2 and -3 facilities design, containment and management; 3/4 day on small animal ABSL-2 and -3 facilities design, containment and management; 1/2 day on veterinary hospital, clinic, and farm and ranch Biosecurity [infection control]).

General Session: July 11, 12 and the morning of the 14 will be general Biosafety and Biosecurity (BMBL, rDNA Guidelines, Biosafety committees, other administration aspects, risk assessment, Select Agent regulations and administration, HEPA filters and biosafety cabinet certification). July 12 is Hawaiian shirt day, so bring your favorite Hawaiian shirt to wear on Saturday.

Optional for all attendees: Sunday, July 13, will be open for your enjoyment of the Fort Collins and Rocky Mountain National Park areas. We will have an optional tour of new BSL-3 facilities at 4 PM Sunday, with dinner at the Hilton at 6:30 PM.

Plant Session: July 14 afternoon, 15, and 16 will be plant oriented (greenhouse design and management, containment of recombinant plants, infectious disease research with plants, biopharm, regulations, plant disease diagnostic lab network, diseases of crops). We will finish with lunch at noon the 16th.

The cost for the course is as follows:

Animal and general sessions; $1300
Plant and general sessions; $1300
Complete training course, July 9- 16, 2008; $1600

Registration includes a reception July 9, dinners July 10 (Animal and Complete Course registrants) and/or July 15 (Plant and Complete Course registrants), a reception July 14, lunches, and breaks, and all course material. A class photo and certificate will be given to all who complete the course. We anticipate full enrollment, so make your course and hotel reservations early.

We anticipate full enrollment, so make your course and hotel reservations early.

For more information:

Contact:	Robert Ellis
E-mail:	Robert.Ellis@colostate.edu
Telephone:	970-491-6729
Website:	http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/microbiology/crwad/BBTC.htm

Organized by: Colorado State University
Sponsor(s): Elizabeth R. Griffin Foundation - "SAFE Research Saves Lives"

The Banff Conference on Plant Metabolism 2008 will bring together an international group of scientists working in diverse areas of general and specialized plant metabolism. Major topics covered at the conference will include: plant hormones, lipid metabolism, cell walls and lignin, terpenoids/isoprenoids, nitrogen and sulfur metabolism, metabolism of floral scent and fruit aromas, metabolite transport, metabolic regulation and whole metabolic systems. Plenary speakers representing the different topics have been invited. The conference venue, The Banff Centre (http://www.banffcentre.ca), was selected to provide a collegial environment for sharing ideas and opportunities to enjoy the scenery of the Canadian Rockies. Abstracts for poster presentations and contributed talks are welcomed. Registration opens March 1, 2008.

For more information:

Website:

http://www.ucalgary.ca/plantmetabolism

Organized by: Peter Facchini (University of Calgary) Joerg Bohlmann (University of British Columbia) Jon Page (NRC Plant Biotechnology Institute)

The theme for ABIC 2008 will be "Agricultural Biotechnology for a competitive and sustainable future". Taking a global perspective, industry and scientific leaders along with visionaries will address Agricultural Biotechnology and its impact on world agriculture from food production to maximising bioenergy potential. This big picture of agriculture biotechnology, its global opportunities and its impact at both local and regional level, will be of great interest to decision makers and leaders in Governments, industry, academia and public.

For more information:

Website:

http://www.abic.ca/abic2008/

Organized by: ABIC

Important deadlines:

Pre-Registration -- August 31, 2007
Abstract Submission -- February 28, 2008
Early Bird Registration -- June 15, 2008
Submission of manuscripts for Acta Horticulturae -- September 1, 2008
Symposium -- September 1-5, 2008

This symposium builds on previous symposia of tropical and subtropical species and follows the successful symposium in Daytona, Florida in 2005, which covered biotechnology and transformation of tropical and temperate species. The upcoming symposium will explore the progress being made in temperate, tropical, and subtropical fruit species.

For more information:

Contact:	Magda-Viola Hanke
E-mail:	biotechfruit2008@bafz.de
Telephone:	+49-351-2616214
Fax:	+49-351-2616213
Website:	http://www.biotechfruit2008.bafz.de/index.htm

Organized by: ISHS Commission Biotechnology and Molecular Biology

In recent years there has been a great expansion of knowledge of genes that influence the regulatory pathways that control organismal properties of adaptive and economic importance. The goal of this meeting is to discuss this rapidly moving body of knowledge with an eye to future translation, i.e., how the knowledge might be used to create major advances in breeding, biotechnology, and genetic engineering. By bringing together a number of very diverse basic science and breeding science perspectives into a small, informal meeting format we will consider how to improve efficiency, or extend the limits, for phenotype- or marker-based breeding, not to duplicate what breeding can already do well.

For more information:

Website:

www.newphytologist.org/physiological

Organized by: Steven Strauss (Oregon State Univ., USA), Richard Amasino (Univ. of Wisconsin, USA), Richard Flavell (Ceres Inc., CA, USA), Harry Klee (Univ. of Florida), Holly Slater (New Phytologist, UK)

The theme of the Congress will be "Harnessing the Potential of Agricultural Biotechnology for Food Security and Socio-Economic Development in Africa". In addition to the main theme, congress participants will have an opportunity to listen to experiences of other countries in Europe, Asia, USA and Latin America about modern agricultural biotechnology and its applications in their economic transformation processes.

The list of possible topics are:

• Biotechnology: Demystifying The Concepts
• Genetically Modified Crops/Transgenic Crops
• Biotechnology Applications In Livestock Development
• Challenges In Biotechnology Development
• Biotechnology Policy Development
• Developing Regional Biosafety Regulatory Frameworks
• Status of Biotechnology: Country Profiles
• Food And Agriculture Biotechnology Policy: What Are The Linkages?
• Linkages Of Biotechnology Policy To Other National And Global Policies
• Understanding The Benefits And Potential Risks Of
• Genetically Modified Agricultural Products
• Modern Food Biotechnology, Human Health And Development; An Evidence Based Study/Research Globalization And International Governance Of Modern Biotechnology
• The Role of African Union/NEPAD in Promoting Biotechnology Growth on the Continent
• Role Of Regional Biotechnology And Agricultural Networks In Biotechnology Development In Africa
• Role Of Non Public Institutions In Biotechnology Development In Africa
• Human and Institutional Capacity For Biotechnology Development In Africa
• Role Of Research Institutions In Biotechnology Development In Africa - Universities, National Agriculture Research Systems, International Agriculture Research Organizations And Private Institutions
• Impact of Information Technology on Biotechnology Development in Africa
• Global Biotechnology Development: Can Africa Adopt Best Practices?
• Development Partners and Biotechnology Development in Africa
• Genetic Inventions And Intellectual Property Rights
• Intellectual Property Rights As Applied In Biotechnology Applications
• Intellectual Property Rights On Plant Variety Protect
• Ethics In Biotechnology: Social Issues Of GMO Technology
• The Interplay Of Culture, Science And Biotechnology
• Biosafety Risk Assessment
• Biosafety Risk Communication
• Environmental Biosafety Risk Assessment

For more information:

Website:

http://abneta.org/congress/

Organized by: The African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum (ABSF) through its sister network, the Agricultural Biotechnology Network in Africa (ABNETA) and the African Union's (AU) Division of Agriculture and Food Security.

In celebration of our 10th ISBGMO, we are highlighting past achievements in biosafety research on GMOs and charting future directions. Established as a biennial event since 1990 to showcase environmental biosafety research, ISBGMO brings together scientific researchers, policy makers, regulators, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and industry representatives to foster productive dialogue and multidisciplinary approaches while embracing diverse perspectives from all parts of the globe.

The 10th ISBGMO includes eight plenary sessions, four evening workshops, and posters. Each plenary session will offer presentations from 2-4 keynote speakers as well as contributed talks selected from submitted abstracts (due April 30th, 2008). In addition, a special joint ISBR/OECD session will examine risk assessment practices and explore the challenges to formulating sound regulatory decision-making.

For more information:

Website:

http://www.isbgmo.info/

Organized by: International Society for Biosafety Research (ISBR)

The 10th International Symposium on Biosafety of Genetically Modified Organisms (ISBGMO) organized by the International Society for Biosafety Research (ISBR) is highlighting "Biosafety Research: Past Achievements and Future Challenges".

The symposium includes eight plenary sessions, four evening workshops, and posters.

8 Sessions are:
Biosafety research experiences; Introgression, naturalisation and invasion; Impacts on soil ecosystems; GM animals; Abiotic and biotic stress tolerance; OECD/ISBR risk assessment - state of the art; Biocontainment methods; and Post market environmental monitoring.

4 Workshops are:
Designing field experiments for environmental risk assessment; Novel approaches to environmental risk assessment; Risk communication; and Regulator's forum.

The ISBGMO is a biennial event since 1990 and brings together scientific researchers, policy makers, regulators, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and industry representatives to foster productive dialogue and multidisciplinary approaches by embracing diverse perspectives from all parts of the globe.

For more information:

Contact:	The Conference Company
E-mail:	isbgmo@tcc.co.nz
Telephone:	+64 9 360 1240
Fax:	+64 9 360 1242
Website:	http://www.isbgmo.info/

Following the traditional series of Biotechnology meetings organized by the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Havana, Cuba, the 2008 edition will be devoted to Agricultural Biotechnology.

Symposia and main topics