The Interdisciplinary Plant Group (IPG) at the University of Missouri will host its 40th annual symposium on the topic of “Plant Hormones at the Intersection of Stress and Development” May 21-24.
“Hosting 40 annual symposia is a major achievement for the IPG, and we will celebrate and mark the significance,” said David Braun, professor of Plant Science and Technology, Biological Sciences, and Director of the IPG. “In addition to organizing another fantastic scientific meeting with outstanding local, national and international plant biologists, we will reflect on some of the history and milestones of the IPG over the years.
“This year is our 40th symposium on the topic of ‘Plant Hormones at the Intersection of Stress and Development.’ This is very fitting as plant hormones integrate and control all aspects of plant growth, development and responses to biotic and abiotic stress, key research themes of the IPG.”
Plant hormones play essential roles in development and regulate the interaction of plants with the environment. The focus of this symposium will be on understanding the roles of different hormones and their interactions in mediating the effects of stresses on plant development, to enable building resilient crops to meet future climatic challenges.
Nearly two dozen speakers are confirmed to present over the course of three days, including experts from MU and around the globe. This year’s keynote speakers include: Mark Estelle, University of California, San Diego; Saskia Hogenhout, John Innes Center, UK; Zhiyong Wang, Carnegie Institution, Standford University; David C. Nelson, University of California, Riverside; and Poonam Mehra, University of Nottingham, UK.
“The IPG was founded in 1981,” said Braun. “Since then, we’ve hosted 39 annual symposia, where we have brought some of the world’s leading plant biologists to MU to share their science and interact with our faculty, students, postdocs and staff. Over the years, I estimate we’ve brought hundreds of the top national and international plant scientists to MU to share and exchange ideas with IPG researchers.”
Participants must register ahead of time, and the registration deadline is May 10. To register, or for more information about speakers, accommodations or sponsors, visit the IPG Symposium website.
The IPG is a community of MU faculty, students, postdoctoral fellows and professionals who are pursuing novel, creative and transformative ideas in the field of plant biology. Established in 1981, the IPG seeks to encourage interdisciplinary cooperation between scientists engaged in research in plant molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, biotechnology, evolution, ecology, bioinformatics and computer science. The group’s aim in integrating these disciplines is to stimulate joint research projects that will enhance our understanding of how plants grow and develop in changing environments.