ASPB News THE NEWSLETTER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLANT BIOLOGISTS Volume 31, Number 3 May/June 2004

Inside This Issue Crispin Taylor (Re)Joins ASPB

Plant Biology 2004 ASPB welcomes a new exe- talk at an ASPB meeting (in 1993 in Minneapolis– cutive director! On April 13, St. Paul, if memory serves). 2004, Crispin Taylor came But, in addition to its broad supporting role as a Scientific Sessions, Special back to the Society…this membership organization, in 1996 ASPB took a nar- Events, and Workshops time as its new executive rower interest in me when it recruited me (for the Symposia Schedule director. Following is a first time) from my postdoc to edit the front section message from Crispin to of The Plant Cell. the membership: I spent a little shy of four years on the staff of The Thank you for your wel- Plant Cell in the late 1990s, initially as news and come and your interest; it is a sincere pleasure to be reviews editor and then as managing editor, before (back) here at ASPB, which has in many ways always leaving to edit and eventually direct Science Next been my professional home. Wave, a career resource published by Science As I expect may be true for many of the Society’s magazine and the American Association for the members, ASPB was the first disciplinary organiza- Advancement of Science. tion I joined as a graduate student back in the mid- Over the past eight years with ASPB and the AAAS, to late 1980s. My first paper was published in Plant I’ve had the opportunity to learn a surprising amount Physiology in 1991, and I gave my first truly public continued on page 3

Plant Biology 2004 Combine Plant Science with Family Fun! Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort & Convention Center July 24–28, 2004

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort & Convention look for “Tropisms” (co-sponsored by Plant, Cell & Center in Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida, Environment), chaired by Roger Hangarter; “Reactive will be the location for Plant Biology 2004 on July Oxygen Species: Balancing Signaling & Stress,” 24–28. The scientific program is cutting-edge and chaired by Julia Bailey-Serres; “Sensing and strong, and Disney provides world-class family fun Responding to Water,” chaired by Keith Mott; for the whole family. Here are a few of the highlights “Advances in Plant Reproductive Biology” (Gibbs’ you have to look forward to! Symposium), chaired by June Nasrallah; and “From the Soil to the Seed” (the President’s Symposium), Five Major Symposia and 27 Minisymposia chaired by Mary Lou Guerinot. Twenty-seven mini- The five major symposia are a major highlight of any symposia will also be held throughout the meeting. Plant Biology meeting. For this year’s conference, continued on page 3 The ASPB News is now available online as well as in print. Members will be alerted by e-mail when a new issue is posted. The ASPB News welcomes member feedback. Contact the editor at [email protected].

ASPB Officers & Staff CONTENTS

President Mary Lou Guerinot 603-646-2527 1 Crispin Taylor (Re)Joins ASPB President-Elect Roger Hangarter 812-855-5456 Plant Biology 2004: Combine Plant Immediate Past President Daniel R. Bush 970-491-2442 Science with Family Fun! Secretary Edgar Spalding 608-265-5294 Treasurer Mark R. Brodl 210-999-7246 5 Symposia Schedule Chair, Board of Trustees Louis Sherman 765-494-8106 Susan Rosenberry Says Farewell to ASPB Chair, Publications Committee C. Robertson McClung 603-646-3940 Chair, Women in Plant Biology Committee Mary Tierney 802-656-0434 6 Annual Meeting Activities Sponsored Minority Affairs Committee Regina McClinton 616-331-2470 by the Minority Affairs Committee Education Committee Lawrence Griffing 979-845-6493 UCB’s Heidi Ledford Earns AAAS/ASPB Elected Members Nick Carpita 765-494-4653 Mass Media Fellowship Spot Adrienne E. Clarke +61-38-344-5043 Linda Walling 909-787-4687 7 ASPB Journals Join AGORA to Offer Poorest Nations Free Online Access Sectional Representatives Midwestern Steven Rodermel 515-294-8890 8 Youngest Poster Presenter for Plant Northeastern Rakesh Minocha 603-868-7622 Biology 2004: Meet Crystal Siyu Southern Mel Oliver 806-723-5225 Zhang Mid-Atlantic Jonathan Monroe 540-568-6649 Western Dina Mandoli 206-543-4335 9 ASPB Allies with Other Scientific Publishers to Increase Awareness of Nonprofit Scientific Journals

10 Plant Physiology Pollen Man on Executive director Crispin Taylor, ext. 115 [email protected] Display at Andy Warhol Museum Executive assistant Donna Gordon, ext. 131 [email protected] ASPB Journals Reviewed and Director of finance and administration vacant Published Faster Than Ever Accounting manager Kim Snell, ext. 140 [email protected] Network administrator Burton Nicodemus, ext. 146 [email protected] 11 Membership Corner Webmaster Wendy Sahli, ext. 123 [email protected] Membership and marketing manager Kelley Noone, ext. 142 [email protected] Bioethics 12 Subscription and fulfillment assistant Suzanne Moore Cholwek, ext. 141 [email protected] 13 Education Foundation Call for Proposals Accounts receivable specialist Stephanie Liu-Kuan, ext. 143 [email protected] Accounts payable specialist Stefanie Shamer, ext. 144 [email protected] 14 From the Web Administrative assistant Carolyn Freed, ext. 122 [email protected] Director of public affairs Brian M. Hyps, ext. 114 [email protected] 15 Public Affairs Education Foundation assistant Paula Brooks, ext. 116 [email protected] 23 Education Forum Director of publications Nancy A. Winchester, ext. 117 [email protected] Publications assistant Diane McCauley, ext. 133 [email protected] 26 SURF Recipients Managing editor, Plant Physiology George Kendall, ext. 118 [email protected] Science writer, Plant Physiology Peter Minorsky, 845-878-4570 [email protected] Deadline for September/October 2004 Production manager, Plant Physiology Jon Munn, ext. 130 [email protected] ASPB News: August 5, 2004 Manuscript manager, Plant Physiology Leslie (Ash) Csikos, ext. 125 [email protected] Managing editor, The Plant Cell Beth Staehle, ext. 121 [email protected] News and reviews editor, The Plant Cell Nancy Eckardt, 970-495-9918 [email protected] Production manager, The Plant Cell John Long, ext. 119 [email protected] NOTICE: The ASPB News no longer Manuscript manager, The Plant Cell Annette Kessler, ext. 120 [email protected] carries job ads or meeting announcements. Job ads appear online at www.aspb.org/jobbank. The list is updated every Friday. ASPB News ASPB News is distributed to all ASPB members and is published six Meeting notices can be posted at times annually, in odd-numbered months. It is edited and prepared www.aspb.org/meetings. by ASPB staff from material provided by ASPB members and other Headquarters Office interested parties. 15501 Monona Drive Copy deadline is the 5th day of the preceding even-numbered Rockville, MD 20855-2768 USA month (for example, December 5 for January/February publication). Phone: 301-251-0560 Submit copy by e-mail whenever possible; submit all other copy by Fax: 301-279-2996 mail, not by fax. Contact: Nancy A. Winchester, Editor, ASPB News, 15501 Monona Drive, Rockville, MD 20855-2768 USA; [email protected]; 301-251-0560, ext. 117.

© 2004 American Society of Plant Biologists. continued from page 1 Scientific Sessions, Special Events, and Workshops Plant Biology 2004 about membership organizations, publish- ing, the Internet, and managing projects and people. In fact, I’ve now spent almost Large and Active Exclusive Poster & their research, network, and learn how to get as much of my life working on these topics Exhibit Sessions the most out of Plant Biology 2004. as I did as a graduate student and postdoc At this meeting more than 1,000 posters will in plant biology! be on display for four days. The Monday ASPB Section Networking Receptions I greatly appreciate the opportunity evening and Tuesday afternoon sessions are This year, all five ASPB sections will again that ASPB has given me to work—once reserved exclusively for posters and exhibits. hold “Section Networking Receptions” from again—to the greater good of ASPB mem- At least 30 exhibitors with an interesting 2:00 to 3:00 pm on Saturday, July 24, before bers, plant scientists in general, and plant array of products and services will welcome the opening of the meeting. All ASPB mem- biology around the world. And I am look- attendees on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. bers are invited to attend the event for their ing forward to working closely with you, region. Attendees can enjoy the opportunity with the elected leadership of ASPB, and Open Greenhouse and Breakfast at to share a beverage and mingle with their with the Society’s staff to ensure that this Epcot’s “Land” Pavilion: Special regional colleagues. organization meets your needs and reflects Plant Biology 2004 Event! your interests. Although I’m a strong pro- Saturday, July 24, 7:00–9:00 am Plant Biology 2004 Opening ponent of the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” $25 per person; children ages 3–9, $15 Reception and Mixer school of thought, I think it would be a (includes continental breakfast and This perennially popular event is open to all good idea for ASPB to take this opportuni- transportation) meeting registrants, and tickets may be pur- ty to engage in some healthy and produc- Enjoy your coffee and breakfast as you go chased for guests. The wide assortment of tive self-evaluation, if for no other reason behind the scenes at The Land at Epcot® to food and libations is the perfect backdrop for than to satisfy itself that it is heading in the explore the wonders of growing food plants attendees to reconnect with old friends, meet direction its members want it to go. from around the globe. Wander through new people, acclimate to Florida, and map Self-evaluation is only one part of the greenhouses that provide a living, every- out the busy week ahead. equation, though. Like the Society’s offi- changing show for thousands of Epcot guests cers, I can see some challenges ahead—the every day of the year. Meet Epcot® horticul- ASPB Awards Ceremony and Shull movement to open access to research jour- turists, agronomists, and college interns and Award Symposium nals and pending changes in the leadership let them show you how they grow a wide Recipients of six awards will be announced. of the National Science Foundation, for diversity of crops using unique hydroponic After the presentation of awards, Dr. Jian- example—challenges that may oblige us all growing systems. Talk with plant patholo- Kang Zhu of the University of California, to think carefully about the way the gists and entomologists from Epcot® about Riverside, and the ASPB 2003 Shull Award Society’s activities are structured and the beneficial insects and other integrated winner, will give an address on “Exploring funded. By working together to define pest management strategies they use to man- Stress Signal Paths in Arabidopsis.” those challenges, and to reflect on how best age pest problems in these working green- to bring the Society’s many strengths to houses. Find out what’s going on in the Small Colleges/Primarily bear in meeting them, it is my hope that Biotechnology Lab at The Land, sponsored Undergraduate Institutions Breakfast within the first year of my tenure as execu- by the USDA Agricultural Research Service. This annual event serves as an opportunity to tive director we will be able to articulate a Talk to biological engineers about environ- bring people from primarily undergraduate strategic plan to sustain and grow the mental monitoring systems in the green- institutions (PUIs) together to network, organization over the coming years. houses and weighing lysimeters that manage share information on strategies for teaching Whether it is in the context of a formal the plants’ water use and save water and and research in plant biology, and explore exercise like the one I’ve just described or nutrients in the process. Bring your ques- new opportunities. Tickets may be purchased on a more ad hoc basis, I, like my col- tions and cameras and have fun! for this event, which will be held on Sunday, leagues, value both your feedback on our July 25, from 7:00 to 8:30 am. ongoing efforts and your suggestions as to Plant Biology 2004 Undergraduate what we ought to do differently (or better) Networking Pre-Mixer/Poster Session Perspectives of Science in the future. You are welcome to share To kick off the meeting for undergraduates, Leaders/2004 ASPB Leadership in those thoughts during Plant Biology 2004 the annual networking pre-mixer and poster Science Public Service Award in Orlando, which I trust many of you session will be held on Saturday, July 24, Charles J. Arntzen will receive the ASPB will attend. But if you can’t wait until from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. Students will have the Leadership in Science Public Service Award then, you are welcome to contact me by opportunity to display their posters and for outstanding contributions to science and e-mail at [email protected].
mingle with each other, various Society lead- society. The award will be presented on ers, and other meeting participants to share continued on page 4

ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 • 3 Scientific Sessions, Special Events, and Workshops Plant Biology 2004 continued from page 3 balance, achieving balance with a corporate Many, Many Workshops! Saturday, July 24, at 6:30 pm. Arntzen will be career, achieving balance in a small college This year’s meeting will feature a wealth of the featured speaker in the Perspectives of environment, and dealing with two-career workshops including two organized by The Science Leaders Program immediately fol- couples issues. Attendees will hear from both Arabidopsis Information Resource, Carnegie lowing his award presentation. Arntzen’s male and female professionals, with and Institution of Washington; one on preparing research efforts in recent years are leading to without children. Following brief presenta- digital art; a Gramene Workshop; an Educa- plant-produced pharmaceutical products tions, there will be an opportunity for small tion Workshop; a Plant Ontology Workshop; that have the potential to protect millions of round-table discussion with each speaker. and special vendor workshops provided by people from dreaded afflictions. Arntzen is Don’t miss this workshop! Agilent Technologies and Silicon Genetics. Florence Ely Nelson Presidential Chair and The committee is also pleased to bring Check the program for further details, dates, Arizona State University Regent’s Professor back the popular “how-to” workshop, which and times. Director, Center for Infectious Diseases and focuses on skills needed to secure a position Vaccinology, Arizona Biodesign Institute at and tools for making effective career choices. Plant Runner’s Stampede: 5k Fun Run, Arizona State University. He is a member of Turkey Lake Park the President’s Council of Advisors on Career Workshop II: Jump-start your day on Tuesday, July 27, with Science and Technology (PCAST), which is “Getting and Keeping a Job” a five-kilometer run or jog in beautiful Turkey based within The White House Office of This workshop will be offered concurrently Lake Park. Transportation to the park will Science and Technology Policy. on Sunday night, July 25. This program com- leave from the Coronado Springs Convention bines the best of two former workshops: Center Port Cochere at 6:10 am. A special Committee on Minority Affairs– “How to Get the Jobs” and “How to Keep a Plant Biology 2004 tee shirt is also included in Sponsored Speaker and Luncheon Job.” Five speakers will present their views, the registration fee. Please pre-register. The Committee on Minority Affairs will experiences, and advice about selling yourself sponsor its ninth annual luncheon for all when seeking an academic position, promot- Dinner and Dancing at Disney’s attendees. The featured speaker will be Dr. ing yourself when pursuing a career in the Pleasure Island Rock ’n Roll Beach Club Eloy Rodriguez. Tickets may be purchased corporate world, maneuvering interviews On Tuesday, July 27, join your colleagues for for this event, which will be held on Sunday, a chance to unwind at Disney’s Pleasure July 25, from noon to 2:00 pm. and negotiations, mentoring, and dealing with change. Participants will have the Island Rock ’n Roll Beach Club, which will be USDA Reception opportunity to ask questions and engage reserved exclusively for our guests from 6:30 All employees of the U.S. Department of speakers in discussion within small groups to 8:30 pm. During this time you’ll be treat- Agriculture are invited to attend their annu- after the presentations. ed to a light dinner buffet and open bar with al reception, which will be held on Sunday, Both workshops will begin with a pizza multiple food and drink stations. Explore all July 25, from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. This gathering dinner. These events are a wonderful way to three floors of this beach-themed club, and offers a great opportunity to have a beverage meet fellow students and to interact with enjoy free play on pool, basketball toss, and and meet with colleagues. professionals through shared personal expe- arcade games. After 8:30 pm, the Rock ’n Roll Beach Club will be open to the public and Career Workshops riences. Workshops fill quickly, so sign up will reverberate with music for dancing. Your The Women in Plant Biology Committee is when you register for Plant Biology 2004! ticket to this event includes a full evening’s pleased to announce two career workshops Women in Plant Biology Committee– admission to Disney’s Pleasure Island, where for Plant Biology 2004. Last year the com- Sponsored Speaker and Luncheon you can enjoy any of the eight differently mittee premiered a new workshop entitled The annual Women in Plant Biology lunch- themed nightclubs, incredible stage shows, a “Career/Family Balance.” On the basis of eon will be held Monday, July 26, at noon. New Year’s Eve Celebration (every night), feedback from attendees, the workshop has Our speaker this year, Dr. Elsa Murano, is the and unique street entertainment. Space is been broadened and will be offered again this undersecretary of agriculture for food safety. limited, so reserve your tickets in advance! year. Career/life balance continues to be one She will speak about achieving leadership of the biggest concerns among young (and positions in science. Come and enjoy excel- Register now for Plant Biology 2004 to established) scientists. lent food, network with fellow students and combine a week of the best plant science with Career Workshop 1: professionals, meet members of the Women Disney World family fun! “Career/Family Balance” in Plant Biology Committee, and hear from Edgar Spalding This workshop will be held Sunday evening, one of today’s leading women in science. Add ASPB Secretary and Program Chair July 25. Five speakers will discuss such issues this event to your registration for Plant Susan Rosenberry as children and career balance, life and career Biology 2004! Former ASPB Program Committee Staff Liaison

4 • ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 SATURDAY, JULY 24 SUNDAY, JULY 25 MONDAY, JULY 26 TUESDAY, JULY 27 WEDNESDAY, JULY 28

SYMPOSIA SCHEDULE

Reactive Oxygen Advances in Plant President’s Species: Balancing Reproductive Sensing and Symposium: From Tropisms Signaling and Stress Biology Responding to Water the Soil to the Seed

4:00–6:30 pm 8:30–11:40 am 8:30–11:40 am 8:30–11:40 am 2:00–5:30 pm

Organizer: Organizer: Organizer: Organizer: Organizer: Roger Hangarter Julia Bailey-Serres June Nasrallah Keith Mott Mary Lou Guerinot

MINISYMPOSIA SCHEDULE

2:00–3:40 pm 2:00–3:40 pm 2:00–3:40 pm 8:30–10:10 am Mineral Nutrition Cell Division Cell Walls Photomorphogenesis Signaling Global Change Water Emerging Technologies Secondary Tropisms Plant Defense Metabolism Signaling Salinity Symbiont Oxidative Stress Interactions Gene Regulation Protein Targeting

4:10–5:50 pm 4:10–5:50 pm 10:40–12:20 pm 10,000 Years of Genome Evolution Membrane Transport Maize Heavy Metals Pathogen Virulence Epigenetics Mechanisms Reproductive Protein Turnover Development Proteomics Photosynthesis Temperature http://www.aspb.org/meetings/pb-2004/

Susan Rosenberry Sets Sail

Susan Rosenberry, formerly Susan Chambers, committees as the Board of Trustees and is leaving ASPB in mid-May after more than Executive Committee. 10 years of dedicated service as the Society’s Susan leaves ASPB to devote herself full- director of finance and administration. In that time to Islands in the Sun Cruises and Tours role, Susan has had oversight for the Society’s (http://www.crus-sun.com/home.shtml), financial operations, membership activities, which she founded in 1993 and which she now marketing, human resources, computer net- runs with her husband Russ Rosenberry. She work, and web site. And as many of you who has traveled to more than 70 countries on six have attended a Plant Biology meeting proba- continents and sailed on more than 60 cruises, bly know, Susan is the person who has brought and her company has grown by leaps and together with great skill and finesse each and bounds to the extent that it now requires her every one of these conferences over the past full-time attention. decade. In addition to everything she does to What’s next? Cruises and more cruises, a support the Society, Susan also staffs the new boat, a home on the Gulf Coast of Program Committee, Membership Committee, Florida…sounds wonderful! and the International Committee and is a key Susan, we all wish you calm seas and staff member supporting such important smooth sailing!

ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 • 5 You Are Invited to Attend! Annual Meeting Activities Sponsored by the Minority Affairs Committee

The Minority Affairs Committee (MAC) will a pioneer in the field of zoopharmacognosy, Maize.” The goal of any MAC minisympo- be very active at Plant Biology 2004 in the use of plants by animals for self-medica- sium is to broaden the awareness of minori- Orlando and would like to invite all Society tion. Currently, he is exploring biodiverse ties in plant biology, and this year we chose members to participate. Each year MAC organisms of the Amazonas and Bwindi to highlight the contributions of Native hosts a luncheon, featuring a guest speaker to Impenetrable Forest (Uganda) for novel Americans in creating modern-day corn. In address issues relevant to everyone in sci- medicines. He also conducts research in addition to a Native American storyteller, ence, and especially people of color. Previous comparative phytochemistry and ethnophar- speakers include Dr. Dolores Piperno of the speakers include Tim Conner of Monsanto, macognosy of endemic medicinal plants; National Museum of Natural History, whose C. S. Prakash of Tuskegee University, and environmental studies of tropical and desert talk is titled “The Archaeology of Early Maize Machi Dilworth of the National Science agromedical ecosystems; and cellular phyto- Dispersal and Use in Latin America,” Dr. Foundation. MAC is pleased to announce chemistry of antimalarial, antiviral, and anti- Ricardo Salvador of Iowa State University, that this year’s speaker is Eloy Rodriguez of cancer natural products produced by plants, who will give the talk “Factors Driving Early the University of Miami. insects, and fungi. In addition to all this Amerind Maize Breeding,” and Dr. Diana Dr. Rodriguez was the James A. Perkins teaching and research, Dr. Rodriguez is the Soleri of the University of Santa Barbara Professor of Environmental Studies at creator of numerous science programs for and the Center for People, Food and Cornell and was the American Society of Cell K–12 students, with a focus on minority stu- Environment, speaking on “Native Maize Biology’s 1995 E. E. Just Lecturer. A native of dents. We are pleased to have him as our Farmers in the 21st Century: Local Insights, Edinburg, Texas, Dr. Rodriguez received his luncheon speaker and hope you will attend. Global Discussions.” PhD in phytochemistry and plant biology Tickets are $18 and must be purchased in Both events will be on Sunday, July 25, from the University of Texas at Austin. His advance. and we hope to see you there. For more infor- postdoctoral training was at the University of MAC will also be hosting a minisympo- mation, please go to http://www.aspb.org/ British Columbia in medicinal botany. He is sium at the meeting entitled “10,000 Years of committees/minorityaffairs/activities.cfm.

UCB’s Heidi Ledford Earns AAAS/ASPB Mass Media Fellowship Spot

Heidi Ledford, University of California at student–produced, popular-science maga- during the summer as reporters, researchers, Berkeley, has been awarded a 2004 AAAS/ zine. Among her many awards, Heidi was a and production assistants in mass media ASPB Mass Media Science & Engineering 2003 ASPB Travel Grant Winner. She has organizations nationwide. They collaborate Fellowship. She will spend 10 weeks this published in numerous journals, including with media professionals at radio and televi- summer at The Oregonian. The Plant Cell, Plant Physiology, and the sion stations, newspapers, and magazines to Heidi is a PhD candidate at UCB (adviser: Journal of Biological Chemistry. Her winning make important science news clear and com- Kris Niyogi), where she is studying how the writing sample was titled “Dripping with prehensive to the public. Although this is unicellular green alga, Chlamydomonas rein- Possibilities: Bioprospectors Look to Sea ASPB’s first year participating, the program hardtii, senses and responds to stress induced Sponges for the Next Big Discovery.” is in its 30th year and has supported more by high-light conditions. She has a BS in The AAAS/ASPB fellowship program is than 450 fellows. biology and a BA in German literature from designed to enhance coverage of science- We wish Heidi a fun and productive Duke University. She has served as the man- related issues in the media to improve public summer and look forward to reading a full aging editor of the Berkeley Science Review understanding and appreciation of science report of her adventures in a fall issue of the (which she co-founded), UCB’s graduate and technology. Fellows work for 10 weeks ASPB News!

Reminder! In consideration of the low member subscription rates to the print versions of Plant Physiology and The Plant Cell and the free online access to both journals that all members enjoy, members agree to retain their personal copies of the journals for at least three years from the date of issue, not depositing them in any library or institution before the end of this time. Members also agree not to release their personal access code, assigned by ASPB, to any other party for the duration of their membership in ASPB. Thank you!

6 • ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 ASPB Journals Join AGORA to Offer Poorest Nations Free Online Access ASPB Participation in AGORA Aimed at Strengthening Agricultural Research, Alleviating World Hunger

ASPB and AGORA have joined together to ASPB’s provision of free access to its jour- gy available to developing world scientists, offer scientists in nearly 70 poor nations free nals to poor nations is part of the overall research conducted by ASPB members will access to the Society’s plant science journals, efforts of ASPB member scientists to address help alleviate afflictions caused by nutrition- Plant Physiology and The Plant Cell. world needs for better nutrition through al deficiencies in people’s diets throughout AGORA—which stands for Access to enhanced knowledge of plant biology and the world. Global Online Research in Agriculture—is a food crop development. In addition to mak- For more information on AGORA, go to free, cooperative partnership of the United ing the most current findings in plant biolo- http://www.aginternetwork.org/en/about.php.
Nations Food and Agriculture Organiza- tion, Cornell University, the Rockefeller Foundation, and numerous scientific pub- lishers. It is intended to provide free or low- cost access to more than 400 major scientif- Following are the developing nations that now have free access ic journals in agriculture and related biolog- to Plant Physiology and The Plant Cell: ical, environmental, and social sciences to public institutions in developing countries. Afghanistan Ghana Papua New Guinea Its sister program, the World Health Albania Guinea Republic of Moldova Organization–sponsored HINARI (Health Angola Guinea-Bissau Rwanda InterNetwork Access to Research Initiative), Armenia Guyana Sao Tome and Principe provides access to journals for biomedical Azerbaijan Haiti Senegal and health care researchers in 101 developing Bangladesh Honduras Sierra Leone countries. Benin Kenya Solomon Islands AGORA’s goal is to increase the quality Bhutan Kiribati Somalia and effectiveness of agricultural research, Burkina Faso Kyrgyzstan Sudan education, and training in low-income coun- Burundi Lao People’s Democratic Tadjikistan tries and, in turn, to improve food security. Cambodia Republic Timor-Leste Countries on the list generally have an annu- Cameroon Lesotho Togo al per capita income of $1,000 or less. Central African Republic Liberia Tokelau “Many agricultural libraries in developing Chad Madagascar Turkmenistan countries have not received science journals Comoros Malawi Tuvalu for a number of years. When scientists in Congo Mali Uganda poor nations receive access to current scien- Cote d’Ivoire Mauritania Ukraine tific information, we believe that they are Democratic Republic of Mongolia United Republic of better able to help address local problems in the Congo Mozambique Tanzania agricultural production,” said Mary Lou Djibouti Myanmar Uzbekistan Guerinot, president of ASPB and a professor Eritrea Nepal Viet Nam at Dartmouth College. “We are committed to Ethiopia Nicaragua Yemen sharing the most current knowledge in plant Gambia Niger Zambia science to help address fundamental needs of Georgia Nigeria Zimbabwe people throughout the world for food.”

ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 • 7 Youngest Poster Presenter for Plant Biology 2004: Meet Crystal Siyu Zhang

The abstracts of leading research submitted Why did you choose this sub- Tell us about your family. for Plant Biology 2004 generated consider- ject for your abstract? There are four people in able interest among reviewers. This year, one First, this experiment can be my family: My mom abstract stood out for more than just its conducted at home. Second, it Naimei Tang, little brother unique discovery. Its author is 13-year-old, has no seasonal limitation and is Henry Zhang, dad Xinbo seventh-grade student Crystal Siyu Zhang. easily controlled. Third, the Zhang, and I. It’s not every day that ASPB receives an cycle of this experiment is short. What do your mom and abstract from so young a scientist, but Finally, the most important rea- dad do for a living? Crystal’s abstract was deemed appropriate son for designing this experi- They both do biomedical research work. for a poster. This remarkably mature student ment is that each garlic clove has multiple How do they feel about your abstract being attends middle school in Troy, Michigan. visible spots for root growing, which is selected for a poster? Following are some responses from Crystal important for the further study of garlic root Proud, happy, and excited. to questions we asked her. development. You said you came from China. Tell us Will you be able to attend the ASPB Plant about where you grew up. How did you find out about the ASPB Biology Meeting in Orlando, Florida, this I was born in Beijing and stayed there for 4½ Plant Biology Meeting? summer? years until I came to the United States. My dad was searching on the Internet for Yes, I’m looking forward to it. plant biology meetings and happened to When did you and your family come to the Who will come with you? come upon yours. United States and why? My science teacher, Dr. Armstrong-Hall. Why did you submit an abstract? My father came to America as a visiting Most poster sessions have each scientist I wanted to be a part of the meeting. scholar. My mom and I came to America one stand by his or her poster so that other sci- year later for reunion. We see by our records that you submitted entists can ask questions. What do you Has living in the United States been a big this with other people. How did others think of this? adjustment for your family? help you with this research? I think I will be a kid surrounded by great men Yes. I have a little brother, Henry, now! My parents helped me when I was doing the and women. What a spectacular moment! experiment. My science teacher, Dr. Gail I can learn a lot from scientists. Tell us about yourself. What do you like to Armstrong-Hall, gave me information on the do? How do you think you will feel? Detroit Science and Engineering Fair. For the I play the piano and the violin. I love doing Maybe a little nervous, but excited. fair, my dad, mom, and I started to design origami, reading, and writing. I also read experiments. We designed two different plant Have you ever been to a professional scien- Chinese. experiments, and this is one of the two. tific society meeting before? What subjects do you like in school? Nope, this will be my first and I am very Are you working with a teacher at your Math, because it’s challenging, and language excited. school? arts because I love to write and read. No, I finished this experiment in my home. Have you presented a scientific poster Do you have any pets, hobbies, athletic Therefore, I did not work on the experiment before? interests, or favorite foods? with my teacher at school. Nope, but I can’t wait to. Pets: three hamsters. Hobbies: piano, violin, Did you win any local awards? Have you entered contests before in the origami, reading. Food: I like everything. Yes, my abstract titled “The Development areas of science or math or education? There is nothing really that I dislike. I shoot and Growth of Shoots and Roots of Garlic Yes, the Science and Engineering Fair in hoops at home and play ping-pong with my Cloves Are Attenuated by Jalapeno Pepper Detroit. Math…I have participated in Con- dad. Juice” got a blue ribbon at the Science and tinental Math, FPS (Future Problem Solving), What type of job would you like to pursue Engineering Fair on April 4, 2004, in Detroit, and Math Olympiad. in life? Michigan. How did that work out for you? Lawyer. I got a blue ribbon at the science fair. We got What are your educational expectations? first place at state for FPS Community 4.0 GPA. I will try to maintain it forever. Problem Solving in fifth grade.

8 • ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 Crystal’s Abstract ASPB Allies with Other Scientific Effect of Cucumber, Potato, Carrot, and Tomato Juices on the Development and Publishers to Increase Awareness of Growth of Shoots and Roots of Garlic Cloves Nonprofit Scientific Journals Poster Category: Vegetative Development ASPB and 16 other nonprofit scientific view their journals as being among the Presenter: Zhang, Crystal Siyu societies and associations working in the most important contributions provided to Authors: Zhang, Crystal Siyu agricultural, food, and biological sciences the scientific community at large. Zhang, Xinbo have formed the Nonprofit Journals Group “ASPB exists, in large part, to dissemi- Armstrong-Hall, J. Gail to help increase awareness among libraries nate information about plant biology Tang, Naimei of valuable nonprofit scientific journals, research—not only among plant scientists, To determine the potential effect of different including Plant Physiology and The Plant but also to policymakers and members of vegetable juices on the development and Cell. the general public. So it is vital that those growth of shoots and roots of garlic cloves, Nonprofit scientific societies and associ- populations have ready access to the articles we have selected fresh cucumber, potato, car- ations publish many of the finest scientific published in Plant Physiology and The Plant rot, and tomato as a source of vegetable juice journals available, but each alone lacks the Cell, whether that access comes through and randomly divided 80 garlic cloves per financial resources to compete with com- library subscriptions or as a benefit of experiment into 5 groups. Each group con- mercial publishers’ marketing efforts. More membership in the association,” says tains 16 cloves and grows in a disposal bowl and more, library budgets are being con- Crispin Taylor, ASPB executive director. either with 40 mL water (control) or 40 mL sumed by growing expensive aggregations The Nonprofit Journals Group’s print of one of 4 different squeezed fresh vegetable of unrelated journals of mixed quality. and web directories assist collection devel- juices that are changed once a day for 2 “Aggregation is driving the higher value opment librarians in the agricultural, weeks. After 14 days, total weight, shoot players [nonprofits] out of the market,” food, and biological sciences. Member weight, shoot length, and root weight of each says Ken Frazier, director of libraries at the associations and societies of the Non- clove are measured, and the mean of each University of Wisconsin. This new non- profit Journals Group include ASPB, the group compares with that of control group. profit alliance allows nonprofit scientific American Association of Cereal Chemists, The following are summarized from our publishers in the agricultural, food, and American Dairy Association, American Oil results: (1) Total clove weight of control biological sciences to share the cost in pro- Chemists’ Society, American Phytopatho- group significantly increases after 14-day viding librarians with online and print logical Society, American Society for growth when compared to 4 juice groups, guides to the nonprofit scientific journals Horticultural Science, American Society of and only total clove weight of control group available today. Agricultural Engineers, American Society significantly increases when compared to its Published “by scientists for scientists,” of Agronomy, American Society of Animal beginning weight of total cloves. (2) Total nonprofit journals are vital to the sciences Science, American Society of Brewing shoot weight and shoot length of all four they serve. Nonprofit societies and associa- Chemists, Crop Science Society of America, juice groups significantly decrease after 14- tions provide the ideal environment for Entomological Society of America, Institute day growth, when compared to the control peer review and offer economical pricing of Food Technologists, Master Brewers group. (3) Total root weight of all juice with outstanding scholarship. “Nonprofit Association of the Americas, Plant groups except tomato group significantly publishers deserve the loyalty of their Management Network, Poultry Science decreases after 14-day growth when com- library partners because they offer real Association, and Soil Science Society of pared to the control group. These results value,” says Frazier. Revenues from non- America. demonstrate that some components of the profit society and association journals The Nonprofit Journals Group website vegetable juices used in this experiment can support the sciences they serve by meeting is located at www.nonprofitjournals.org. inhibit the development and growth of both the professional needs of the scientists Online library recommendation forms shoots and roots of garlic cloves. Further who generate the research, offering educa- are available within each journal. investigations are required to determine tional services to educators and student Recommend a nonprofit scientific which components inhibit and what mecha- researchers, and providing highly respected journal today. To request a print directo- nisms are involved in the development and outlets for publication. Member scientists ry, contact [email protected].
growth of shoots and roots of garlic cloves.

ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 • 9 Plant Physiology “Pollen Man” on Display at Andy Warhol Museum

The March 2004 cover of Plant Physiology, description of the science will be provid- bearing the image of “Pollen Man,” has ed for visitors to the museum. Other been selected by the Carnegie Museum research images will also be displayed. of Natural History to be showcased in “Pollen Man” comes from the article the Andy Warhol Museum (http:// “Germinating Pollen Has Tubular www.warhol.org). Dr. Catherine Morton Vacuoles, Displays Highly Dynamic of the Carnegie Museum of Natural Vacuole Biogenesis, and Requires History in Pittsburgh was contacted by VACUOLESS1 for Proper Function,” by the Andy Warhol Museum to select Glenn R. Hicks, Enrique Rojo, Seho research images for display. She searched Hong, David G. Carter, and Natasha V. through 10 years’ worth of images in Raikhel, of the Center for Plant Cell plant journals and decided that she liked Biology and Department of Botany and Plant Physiology’s March cover, with its Plant Sciences, University of California, fluorescent quality and relation to gene Riverside. The article appears in the development. The journal, editor-in-chief March 2004 issue of the journal, volume Natasha Raikhel, the authors, and ASPB 134, pages 1227–1239. Dr. Glenn Hicks and will all be acknowledged, and a generic Ms. Jocelyn Brimo created the image.

ASPB Journals Reviewed and Published Faster Than Ever!

In January 2002, ASPB launched its new Plant Cell in record time. For example: last year was 63 days, versus close to three online manuscript management system, In 2003, Plant Physiology saw an average months a few years ago. HighWire’s Bench>Press. Within a very short turnaround time from submission to first Production-wise, the time from accept- time, average turnaround times for various decision of 33 days, and 2004 numbers ance to online publication as a Plant Preview stages of the peer review process had through April look even better. Compare article in either journal is now five weeks. dropped. Within just the past few weeks, the this to 46 days in 2001, before the launch of That means that the average Plant Physiology journals have moved all or part of their pro- Bench>Press. The total number of days manuscript, from submission to online pub- duction operations to Dartmouth Journal from submission to acceptance for Plant lication, moves through in a little over three Services, another big step. Just as for peer Physiology in 2003 was 67 days; in 2001 it months. Compare that to 6.5 months in review, turnaround times for standard pro- was nearly 80. 2001. The Plant Cell has made similar strides: duction processes declined. What all this For The Plant Cell, the average turn- The average manuscript travels from submis- means is that manuscripts are reviewed, around time from submission to first deci- sion to online publication in about 90 days. decisions are rendered, and accepted papers sion in 2003 was 30 days, and the total num- Like Plant Physiology, that number used to be are published in Plant Physiology and The ber of days from submission to acceptance over six months.

10 • ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 Membership Corner

ASPB members share a common goal of promoting the growth, development, and outreach of plant biology as a pure and applied science. This column features some of the dedicated and innovative members of ASPB who believe that membership in our Society is crucial to the future of plant biology. If you are interested in contributing to this feature, please contact Kelley Noone, ASPB membership and marketing manager, at [email protected].

Name: David 3. Was someone instrumental in getting tional biochemistry and cell biology to Christopher you to join ASPB? determine what the various genes/ Not really. As a postdoc, I was very proteins are doing. I think the systems Title: Professor interested in attending the annual ASPP biology approach will provide a big- Place of work or conference, and I joined at that time. picture model of how large multi- school: 4. What would you tell nonmembers to gene families are fitting together. University of encourage them to join? Collaborations between engineers and Hawaii, Being a member of ASPB greatly biochemists will yield useful biomolec- Department of broadens the career-enhancing oppor- ular motors. But all our advances will Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering tunities available to you. These oppor- only be academic if we cannot con- tunities include publishing your vince the public that our research Research area: Plant and Chloroplast research in well-respected journals, efforts will benefit them. We are all Development, Redox Regulation, networking and meeting key people, familiar with the rapid growth of new Biotechnology learning the latest results in your area, information in biology and the need Member since: Around 1992 or 1993 developing funding ideas, and getting for an educated public. new perspectives on your research. You 9. What person, living or dead, do you 1. Has being a member of ASPB helped have to be active, participate in the most admire? you in your career? If so, how? conferences, read the journals, respond I admire my grandparents. They grew Through its journals and conferences, to job ads, and take risks to introduce up in a time of outhouses, iceboxes, ASPB has provided a forum for com- yourself to people. world wars, economic depression, no municating research results and oppor- 5. Have you found a job using ASPB job antibiotics or vaccines, and little tech- tunities to interact with other plant postings or through networking at nology. They worked hard, made the biologists. It is one of the most exciting the annual meeting? best of it, survived, and were happy. parts of science—sharing what you My current job was advertised in the From time to time, we need to remem- have discovered with others. There is a ASPP Newsletter in 1993. ber what our grandparents endured moment in the lab where you are the 6. Have you hired anyone as a result of and where we came from. only one who knows the results of your a job posting at the meeting or on 10. What are you reading these days? experiment. The next step is to commu- our online Job Bank? In science, I’ve been reading more about protein folding, redox regulation, nicate the results to the world. ASPB I’ve hired four fine individuals who applied to positions I posted on the and potassium channels. My wife gave provides that link between discovery ASPB online Job Bank. It’s an excellent me a new book on undersea life in and communication. way to reach people. Hawaii, and I’ve been learning names of 2. Why has being a member of ASPB 7. Do you still read print journals? If so, reef fish, corals, sponges, etc. Outside been important? where do you usually read them? science, I’ve been getting into Robert The colleagues I have met at the ASPB I’m definitely reading more e-versions Parker novels, many of which take place conferences are the most important of articles, but I do get tired of staring near where I grew up in Massachusetts. part of my ASPB membership. It’s won- at a computer screen. I like to scribble 11. What are your hobbies? derful to see old friends and meet new notes and ideas on printed copies. I still I enjoy running the most, gardening, people. Interactions with colleagues read printed journal articles at home, hiking, and snorkeling. have given me new research ideas and on the bus, and at my favorite beach. 12. What is your most treasured possession? experimental approaches; they have 8. What do you think is the next “big My memories growing up in New helped trouble-shoot research prob- thing” in plant biology? England and the moments with family. lems. I have developed collaborations With the fascinating plethora of These are not possessions, but they are through my membership. Membership genomic and proteomic information most treasured. has also helped me keep up-to-date on available and new molecular tools, I 13. What do you still have left to learn? new advances in plant biology. hope we’ll have a renaissance in func- Many, many things.

ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 • 11 Bioethics

The Bioethics Imperative XVII Integrating Ethics into Scientific Training

“Mokita”: The truth we all know and agree • Advance awareness of possible prob- have covered topics from authorship to the not to talk about. lems will save much time and anguish political impacts of genetically modified Scenario: The bioethics section of my lab during your career. organisms in medicine, ecology, and food meeting opens with a copy of an e-mail • Knowledge of your rights, the rights of production and distribution. All are not from Professor Braga from the Universi- others, and the structure that supports equally engaged in every debate, but over dad de Granada, who has written with those rights is paramount in navigating time each person has been sparked by one disturbing news. “A few days ago, while I the waters once you find yourself in issue or another. Some folk new to the lab was reviewing a manuscript on the them. initially do not see the point, labeling these coralline red algae from the Miocene of exercises “trivial” or “a waste of time,” but We use the Hastings Center Model graduates of the lab often phone or write Egypt by [Professor M.M.I.], I realized (http://www.cs.bgsu.edu/maner/heuristics/ me spontaneously after an interview or that two of the micrographs illustrating 1990HastingsCenter.htm) as a framework after witnessing a conflict to thank me pro- the ‘Egyptian’ algae [were] pictures of for 15–20 minutes’ worth of discussion of a fusely for the training that these debates Pliocene algae from Cadiz (Spain) pub- specific bioethical issue to wrap up our have provided. Apparently, they are finding lished by Aguirre et al. (1993) and that weekly lab meetings. We take material from that long after their science from my lab is another was a picture of an alga from the these columns, e-mail traffic, newspapers, published, the principles of these discus- Miocene of the Vienna basin published by journals, real-life events (preferably current sions remain in place and are of lasting Aguirre et al. (1996).” In the subsequent ones)—in short any source we can. I try to value. An added bonus is that these meet- days, there was a firestorm of e-mail traf- organize these materials into themes (issues ings are a great way for me to learn about fic as the paleoalgal community debated of authorship, scientific misconduct, etc.) my lab members and about bioethics at the what to do about this ongoing fraud that so that a given theme spans a few weeks at same time—I always learn something from was traced back decades in the literature. a time. We silently read a scenario I have my students. This international group found many, previously written on an overhead screen So what happened after the student in many instances of scientific fraud by the (two to four minutes). We then break into my lab meeting replied that he would do same author in which species and strata groups of two or three and cover the nothing about the blatant fraud in the were altered with abandon. I asked my issue(s) posed by the scenario (five to seven scenario? The rest of the lab, from under- lab group what they would advocate in minutes). This structure ensures that no graduates on up, vociferously took him to this situation. One student said he would one can “hide” (i.e., fail to form and express task and hammered out how to elevate the do nothing and stuck to his guns during their own opinion) during the conversa- international flow of information from our ensuing debate. tion. We come back together as a group and rumor to structured, ethical handling of Faced with ethical issues myself, both share the mini-group conversations what they perceived as a fouling of the lit- substantive and trivial over the years, I now (remaining minutes). I try not to truncate erature. My job that afternoon was to keep elect to spend 15–20 minutes of precious the discussion before it naturally winds the lid on things and shoo everyone out lab meeting time debating bioethical issues down but am mindful of the duration of before dark. I grinned all the way home. of particular import to scientists. If there is the conversation so that lab meeting is not P.S. See the top two links in http:// an overarching motto here, it is “Be overly long. As everyone is leaving, if we www.ku.edu/~ifaa/n-The_Archives- prepared”! Seriously, this training was not have used a “Bioethics Imperative” column reports.html#Reports. A related web site is part of my graduate and postgraduate from the ASPB News as a basis of discus- http://www.ems.psu.edu/~fraser/ education, but I have come to think that it sion, I hand out copies of the full column as BadScience.html.
is important to a successful career for sev- food for thought. I also post hard copies of eral reasons: articles from the news and e-mail as an Next time: Government policies and con- • The consequences of not knowing the additional way to engender debates. sequences in bioethical issues. legal and political ramifications of Our debates have ranged from cool and Dina Mandoli bioethical issues are significant. dispassionate to heated and emotional. We [email protected]

12 • ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 JUNE 15 DEADLINE ASPB Education Foundation Grant Awards Program Call for Proposals

ASPB’s Education Foundation seeks propos- modification of crops and plant biotech- Foundation assistant, at [email protected]. als from ASPB members to support educa- nology The project description should be no more tion and outreach activities that advance • contribute to the knowledge of plant than five pages, double-spaced, and an knowledge of and appreciation for basic biology among K–12 school children itemized budget of up to $30,000 with jus- concepts and contributions of plant biology. through developing educational materi- tification for each item should also be In support of the mission of ASPB, the ASPB als and assisting teacher development included. (A total of up to $63,000 is avail- Education Foundation was established in able for Education Foundation awards this • encourage young scientists to pursue 1995 to provide information and education year.) Proposals that leverage funds from the careers in the growing field of plant to increase the public’s knowledge about the Foundation with support from other biology role of plants in all areas of life. sources are encouraged, particularly with • increase plant science activities in science regard to larger grant requests. Proposals The Foundation reaches its goals museums and discovery centers by devel- will be reviewed and successful awardees through programs that oping programs, exhibits, background notified by July 31, 2004. Open to proposals • promote a broad understanding of the information, and links to scientists. by ASPB members within and outside the importance of plant science in provid- In this call for proposals, the Founda- United States. No forms needed but full ing an ongoing supply of affordable, tion seeks projects that address the aims of name and ASPB member number should be high-quality food, fiber, and renewable the Education Foundation and at the same in the body of the text of submitted e-mail. resources time catalyze new opportunities for ASPB Refer to the ASPB web site for details: • provide education on the importance of members to promote plant biology in the http://www.aspb.org/education/foundation/ plants to agriculture, medicine, the context of the Foundation’s mission. proposals.cfm. environment, and more Proposals must be submitted to the • make available accurate information Foundation by June 15, 2004, and should be on the latest developments in genetic sent by e-mail to Paula Brooks, Education

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology of Plants Plant Workshops for Two- and Four-Year Online Image Library! College Faculty ASPB announces the new Online Catch up with the growing field of Plant Image Library—containing all Molecular Genetics and Genomics at images from the best-selling text- five-day workshops held in August 2004 in Clemson, South Carolina, and book/reference work Biochemistry & Madison, Wisconsin. These workshops Molecular Biology of Plants, by mix theoretical, laboratory, and com- Buchanan, Gruissem, and Jones. puter work, which can easily be adopted The new Online Image Library features images listed by chapter plus the capability to search by to the classroom. The program is fund- individual images.And images are easily imported into PowerPoint for use in presentations. ed by the National Science Foundation and includes stipends and travel sup- Access to the site is available for $49.95.ASPB members receive a 20% DISCOUNT, making the port. For further information and purchase price for members $39.95. application forms, go to http:// To purchase the images from Biochemistry & Molecular Biology of Plants using our secure website, www.dnalc.org/programs/plant_ go to http://www.aspb.org/publications/biotext/imagelibrary/. Log in as a member for your workshop04.html.
member discount.Contact [email protected] for more information.

ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 • 13 From the Web

New and Improved Online Features NEW “PARTNERS for ASPB Members PROGRAM” MEANS DISCOUNTS FOR Plant Biology 2004 is just around the cor- renew next year. Find out more at http:// ASPB MEMBERS ner, and you can easily register online. www.aspb.org/getamember/. This year’s form checks to see if you are After the recent site redesign, we real- As an added benefit of membership, the Society’s new Partners Program logged in and, if so, fills out most of the ized that there is a lot of content on the allows ASPB members to receive dis- form for you. If you have a certificate to website and that there is more we’d like to counts on products and services use from the Get-A-Member campaign, add. ASPB now has a new subcommittee offered by an array of vendors. the form lists it for you automatically. You created for evaluating our web content. can also buy another ticket for a special The committee is made up of a repre- Go to the ASPB members-only event or buy another shirt after you’ve sentative from each of the following page at http://www.aspb.org/ registered. We also accept abstracts for committees: Education, International, membersonly.cfm posters online up until the meeting. We Membership, Minority Affairs, Program, for discounts on products recently added a message board for you to Public Affairs, Publications, and Women and services from network before you get to the meeting. in Plant Biology. Having representation Visit http://www.aspb.org/meetings/ from each committee will ensure that the Chemicals pb-2004/ for the latest details about the website covers all the important areas of Sigma-Aldrich Gold Biotechnology, Inc. upcoming meeting in Orlando. content. Our first “face-to-face” meeting We have been constantly working on will be at the annual meeting this year, and Reagents the forms to improve usability, and I’m we’ll have frequent discussions via e-mail. Cartagen Molecular Systems sure you’ve seen some changes each time Have you noticed the membership dis- Posters you purchase an item online. Suggestions counts available on the personal member SciencePresentations.com are welcome and assist us in providing page? The list is growing, and discounts SciFor, Inc. you with an easy way to do your member- provided from vendors are significant for Literature ship administration and business online. ASPB members. If your favorite vendors Kluwer Academic Publishers In March, we started a new Get-A- are not listed, suggest them to us at Signal Transduction Knowledge Member campaign online. Refer your col- http://www.aspb.org/membership/ Environment leagues, and they’ll receive $10 off mem- vendordiscount.cfm and we will contact bership if they join. And for each col- them. Comparative and Functional Genomics league you refer, you’ll get one entry into Feedback and suggestions for the site Annual Reviews our drawing for some great prizes! If your are always welcome. Send me an e-mail at Current Trends colleague actually joins, you will receive a [email protected].
$20 gift certificate to use toward a meeting Blackwell Plant Sciences Publications: Wendy Sahli The Plant Journal registration or publication purchase or to [email protected] Plant, Cell & Environment Plant Biotechnology Journal New Phytologist Molecular Plant Pathology Physiologia Plantarum ASPB Journals Consider Color-Blind Readers Discounts with new Given that one in 12 men is color-blind and has difficulty seeing certain colors, especially companies every month! combinations of red and green, ASPB’s journals Plant Physiology and The Plant Cell have We are adding vendors on a regular revised their instructions for authors to include guidelines for preparing figures for color- basis. If you have any suggestions for blind readers. Visit http://www.plantphysiol.org/misc/ifora.shtml (Plant Physiology) and vendors you would like to see enrolled http://www.plantcell.org/misc/ifora.shtml (The Plant Cell). in this program, please e-mail Kelley For more information on preparing figures for color-blind readers, including figure Noone at [email protected]. samples, please visit http://jfly.iam.u-tokyo.ac.jp/color/.

14 • ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 Public Affairs

ASPB Cites Benefits of Fundamental Plant Research in Congressional Hearing on NSF Budget

In testimony March 25 before the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies, ASPB Committee on Public Affairs member James Siedow urged support for the National Science Foundation (NSF) and basic plant research in the fiscal year 2005 budget considerations. Siedow, vice provost for research and professor of biology (botany) at Duke University, noted that fundamental break- throughs made possible by NSF-supported research have led to new technologies such as plant biotechnology, which has led to enhanced plant production and new meth- ods of protecting and preserving limited environmental resources such as fresh water supplies. Biotechnology has also led to the creation of a job-creating industry. Following are major portions of ASPB’s testimony before the subcommittee: The nation’s capabilities in fundamental biology research in plants, systematics, phys- iology, water relations, environmental stress, and other areas are dependent upon support Congressman David Price (D-NC) (left) listens to the testimony of ASPB Committee on from NSF and the NSF Directorate for Public Affairs member James Siedow during a hearing of the U.S. House Appropriations Biological Sciences. Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies. The NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences has sponsored research that NSF has 3. Novel approaches were discovered that annually through high salt levels in soil identified as being among the 50 break- could be used to alleviate allergic reac- than is gained through the clearing of for- throughs that have had the most impact or tions to wheat products and other food- est resources. Basic research supported by influence on every American’s life over the past 50 years. Five of these breakthroughs related ailments. Hypoallergenic foods are NSF will lead to more salt-tolerant crops. cited by NSF in plant biology follow: expected to result from NSF-sponsored We mark the 51st anniversary this year of basic plant research. 1. NSF-sponsored genomic research on the the discovery of the structure of DNA by model plant Arabidopsis thaliana led to 4. Up to 12 percent of soils under cultivation Watson and Crick. This discovery changed the entire genome sequence being com- around the world contain metals that the course of biology forever, leading to the pleted well ahead of schedule. Now that stunt plant growth and development and age of molecular biology, genetic engineer- the sequence has been completed, NSF is result in poor harvests. NSF-funded ing, and now genomics. proceeding with the 2010 Project to researchers are using genetic engineering Today, just as human genome research determine the function of every gene in to engineer plants that flourish in metal- has advanced medical science, the NSF- this model plant. rich soils. sponsored Plant Genome Research Program 2. NSF-supported basic research provided a 5. Almost one-third of the irrigated land on and biotechnology have revolutionized the base of knowledge that will lead to plants earth is not suitable for growing crops way scientists can improve plants. NSF- genetically modified to produce lifesaving because it is contaminated with high lev- sponsored genomic research on Arabidopsis, pharmaceuticals. els of salt. More farmable land is lost rice, corn, and other plants is providing

continued on page 16

ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 • 15 Public Affairs continued from page 15 valuable fundamental knowledge of plant • Active involvement of plant genome needs for food, much of the world’s energy, structure and functions. Resulting enhanced researchers in education and training of industrial feed stocks, clothing and building plants will be used to better provide needed undergraduates, high school students, materials, and lifesaving medicines. food supplies, renewable energy sources, and K–12 teachers Public Law 107–368 authorizes a five-year industrial feed stocks, clothing and building • Research collaboration between U.S. period of 15 percent annual budget increases materials, and lifesaving medicines. scientists and scientists in developing in order to sufficiently fund needed advances “Plant biology has been transformed countries in plant genomics and related in science. We recognize that the realities of completely over the last 50 years. It is now fields of science. this year’s budget may make an increase of 15 squarely in the age of genomics and is con- Examples of new projects that the IWG stantly changing as new concepts emerge and percent very difficult to attain. However, the novel technologies develop,” the National noted should further advance the field in continued strong support by the subcommit- Science and Technology Council, Committee coming years include tee for NSF, including the NSF Directorate on Science, Interagency Working Group on • Building of resources and tools for plant for Biological Sciences and the Plant Plant Genomes (IWG) noted in the January genome research Genome Research Program, is deeply appre- 2004 Progress Report on the National Plant • Advances in nutritional genomics that ciated by our science community. Investment Genome Initiative. Recognizing the enor- will lead to higher quality food products in world-leading, competitively awarded mous scientific opportunities, the National • Identification of networks of genes basic research sponsored by NSF will contin- Plant Genome Initiative (NPGI) was estab- involved in disease resistance ue to help benefit the future of the nation’s lished in 1997 under the National Science security, economy, and workers. and Technology Council and the Office of • A new comprehensive database for the Science Technology and Policy (OSTP). entire plant genome research community Congressman David Price (D-NC), a Support of this subcommittee for the to provide seamless access to relevant member of this influential subcommittee Plant Genome Research Program has helped information resources that are distributed that recommends spending for NSF, intro- place the United States in the forefront of all over the world. plant genomics in the world. Examples of Plant genome research and research on duced Siedow to the subcommittee before his research results from the Plant Genome the applications of plant biotechnology sup- testimony. He commended Siedow and ASPB Research Program that the IWG noted were ported by this committee and the Senate on their efforts in support of NSF. Price has reported the past year include committee have revolutionized the way sci- worked with Siedow and ASPB for many • Construction of a high-resolution maize entists can improve plants. This is essential to years in strong support of NSF.
map that integrates genetic and physical meeting the growing national and world maps, a culmination of five years of hard work that will benefit both basic researchers and breeders • Identification of the full encyclopedia of genes necessary for mineral nutrition in plants, which forms the foundation for Deadlines for ASPB News understanding the mechanism of plant uptake of both beneficial and toxic We invite you to submit articles and letters to the ASPB News. minerals Deadlines for submission of copy follow: • Development of the marker-assisted Issue Deadline breeding strategies for wheat September/October 2004 ...... August 5, 2004 • Establishment of a comparative cereal November/December 2004 ...... October 5, 2004 genomics database, Gramene, which uses January/February 2005 ...... December 5, 2004 the complete rice genome sequence as a March/April 2005 ...... February 5, 2005 reference and serves as the information May/June 2005 ...... April 5, 2005 resource for the entire cereal research July/August 2005 ...... June 5, 2005 community including maize, wheat, barley, and sorghum

16 • ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 Public Affairs NSF BIO Officials Discuss Research Programs with ASPB Leadership, Membership Has Its Benefits! Public Affairs • Free electronic access to Plant Physiology & The Plant Cell Dr. Mary Clutter, assistant Biology in this century director of the National Science will be multidimensional, • An electronic directory that puts Foundation (NSF) Directorate multidisciplinary, data driv- 6,000 members worldwide at your for Biological Sciences (BIO), en, education oriented, and fingertips and her colleagues met with internationally engaged, Clutter • A discount on all ASPB publications ASPB President Mary Lou said. She noted that major • Discounts on page charges to both Guerinot, Immediate Past challenges in the next few years journals are how to President Dan Bush, and • The bi-monthly ASPB News Committee on Public Affairs • overcome 20th-century • Discounts with ASPB corporate members March 1 to discuss barriers partners research sponsored by the • broaden participation • Personal member web site with directorate. Mary Clutter The mission of BIO is to • reshape education members-only content support the vitality of the biological sciences • facilitate public understanding of science • Awards for undergrad and grad stu- at U.S. colleges and universities, especially • provide infrastructure. dents to attend national meetings in those areas in which NSF has major • A discount on registration fees for Committee members and leadership dis- responsibilities. ASPB meetings cussed with Clutter and her colleagues NSF Clutter noted that NSF sponsors a signif- support for plant research. Clutter shared • Prompt emails of funding initiatives & icant percentage of basic research at academ- with them color hard copies of National relevant developments on Capitol Hill ic institutions, including Plant Genome Initiative: 2003–2008, written • 55 percent in plant biology • Free resume posting to Job Bank by the National Science and Technology • 65 percent in the biological sciences Council Committee on Science Interagency For more information go to http:// (non-medical) Working Group on Plant Genomes (IWG). www.aspb.org/membership/. • 64 percent in environmental biology Clutter co-chairs the IWG with Joseph Jen, • 35 percent in the physical sciences undersecretary for research, education and • 42 percent in engineering economics, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Participating in the meeting with Clutter • 58 percent in earth sciences were Joann Roskoski, BIO executive officer, Important Dates in 2004 • 72 percent in math and computer sciences and BIO division directors Machi Dilworth, June 4 • 48 percent in social sciences. Division of Biological Infrastructure; Judith Deadline for ASPB election ballots Verbeke (acting), Division of Integrative Guiding questions for NSF in supporting June 4–5 Biology and Neuroscience; Maryanna research include Northeastern Section/ASPB • What is NSF’s responsibility in areas of Henkart, Division of Molecular and Cellular Meeting, Brown University, biology not supported, or under-support- Biosciences; and Michael Willig, Division of Providence, RI ed, by other agencies? Environmental Biology. June 10 Committee on Public Affairs chair Tom • Are there activities that would advance Notification of Elected/Award Sharkey and committee members Roger recipients biology in significant ways that could be Innes, Pam Ronald, Steve Howell, and Dan catalyzed by NSF BIO? June 18 Bush (ex officio as immediate past president) Plant Biology 2004 • How can BIO’s budget be invested most joined Guerinot and ASPB Public Affairs Housing registration cutoff effectively? staff in expressing their appreciation for the July 24–28 • How will NSF know that it has made a contributions of Clutter and her colleagues Plant Biology 2004 difference? to advances in basic plant research.
Orlando, Florida

ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 • 17 Public Affairs

Guerinot Urges Increase in DOE Biosciences Research Budget

Mary Lou Guerinot, president of the sities throughout the nation are funded by The Biosciences program has sponsored American Society of Plant Biologists, urged the Biosciences program. many leading research efforts. For example, support of President Bush’s request of The Biosciences program currently sup- Biosciences program grant support led to a $228,442,000 in fiscal year 2005 for the ports research in the following areas: breakthrough in cellulose biosynthesis Department of Energy’s (DOE) Chemical research, Guerinot commented. Plant cell Plant Science Sciences, Geosciences and Biosciences walls are the major energy component of Division in testimony submitted March • Structure and function of the plant cell renewable biological resources. Cellulose is 26 to the U.S. House and Senate wall (cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose, and the major constituent of the plant cell wall Appropriations Subcommittees on Energy protein) and represents the most abundant biopoly- and Water Development. The president’s • Biophysical and biochemical mechanisms mer on earth. request for the division represents an of photosynthesis Dr. R. Malcolm Brown, Jr., and colleagues increase of $8.8 million, or 4 percent. • Plant primary and secondary metabolism at the University of Texas at Austin gave the The Biosciences program within the first experimental confirmation of an impor- • Genetic and biochemical mechanisms of Chemical Sciences, Geosciences and tant structure involved in cellulose biosyn- plant growth and development Biosciences Division supports fundamental thesis. This work featured a combination of research needed to develop future • Bioenergetics, ion uptake, and other molecular biology and immunocytochem- biotechnologies related to energy. The membrane-related phenomena istry techniques. It provides an exciting supported research focuses on the biolog- • Arabidopsis genome sequencing springboard for future applications in the ical mechanisms occurring in plants and • Functional plant genomics efficient design of specific complex carbohy- microorganisms. drates and other renewable carbon resources, Guerinot, a professor at Dartmouth Fermentation Microbiology Guerinot said. College, noted that plants and microbes fit • Bioenergetics and metabolic properties of As another example, research sponsored readily into the energy context by virtue of anaerobic microbes earlier by the Biosciences program led to new serving as renewable resources for fuel and • Degradation of lignin, cellulose, and findings on the capture of energy from pho- other fossil resource substitutes, as vehicles to hemicellulose tosynthesis, Guerinot noted. This research restore previously disrupted environmental led to the presentation to Biosciences pro- • Biochemistry, genetics, and physiology of sites, and as potential components of indus- gram grantee Dr. Paul Boyer of the shared microbes that metabolize one- and two- trial processes to produce new products and award of the 1997 Nobel Prize in Chemistry carbon compounds chemicals in an environmentally benign (biochemistry). Photosynthesis is nature’s manner. • Mechanisms of plant symbiotic and path- way of utilizing sunlight to produce chemical Biosciences research on plants and ogenic interactions energy and to bring carbon dioxide into bio- microbes opens the opportunity to synthe- • Functional microbial genomics. logical organisms. Increased knowledge in size an almost limitless variety of energy-rich this area could lead to a better understanding organic compounds and polymers, Guerinot Extremophilic Organisms of how to manage carbon dioxide in the added. DOE’s biosciences fundamental • Biochemistry, genetics, and physiology of atmosphere. Further research could also con- research could lead to higher quality plant hyperthermophilic microbes tribute to the development of alternative products, more environmentally benign • Mechanisms of life under extreme condi- energy sources. products, and a reduction in the increasing tions, temperature, salt, pH, etc. At the latter part of the 19th century, demand for imported petroleum. people throughout the world were depend- • Metabolism of inorganic compounds. The DOE Office of Science, Office of ent on plants and other contemporaneous Basic Energy Sciences’ Division of Chemical Biomaterials and Biocatalysis biological sources for the production of Sciences, Geosciences and Biosciences is a • Biosynthesis of novel materials organic materials. Plants and animals pro- competitive grants program in which awards vided the only sources of fibers, coatings, • Catalytic antibodies are made based on merit. The division and lubricants, solvents, dyes, waxes, fillers, insu- its Biosciences program select the best • Structural and kinetic characterization of lation, fragrances, detergents, sizing, wood, research proposals as determined in a process energy-related enzymes paper, rubber, and many other types of mate- of peer review. Leading researchers at univer- • Bioadhesion. rials. In 1930, fully 30 percent of industrial

18 • ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 Public Affairs organic chemicals were still derived from ASPB Urges House, Senate Subcommittees plants, Guerinot commented. The discovery of extensive petroleum to Increase Support for NRI, ARS reserves and advances in chemistry and petroleum engineering resulted in a ASPB submitted written comments in March fundamental in the traditional use of this major shift to reliance on fossil sources of to the House and Senate Appropriations term. organic feedstocks such as petroleum. Subcommittees on Agriculture explaining A major conclusion of the NRC com- These developments also led to the devel- the importance of research sponsored by the mittee was that “Without a dramatically opment of petroleum-based materials, National Research Initiative and the enhanced commitment to merit-based peer- such as inexpensive plastics, with proper- Agricultural Research Service (ARS). reviewed, food, fiber and natural resources ties that could not be duplicated at the ASPB urged support for the fiscal year research, the nation places itself at risk.” time by abundantly available natural 2005 budget request of the Department of Continued support for a balanced materials. Agriculture of $180 million for the National research portfolio in the department includ- Guerinot noted that advances in mod- Research Initiative Competitive Grants ing intramural and extramural research is ern plant research made possible by sup- Program (NRI). This represents an increase needed to address the many and sometimes port from the Biosciences program can of 10 percent. devastating problems farmers face in grow- result in a shift toward use of feedstocks Following are major portions of ASPB’s ing crops. ARS continues to address very from domestically grown plants for comments: effectively many important research ques- chemical products. Plant-produced prod- The NRI supports research into funda- tions for U.S. agriculture. ucts can provide the chemical industry mental questions that lead to new enhanced Helping U.S. farmers meet the food pro- with much greater diversity than is avail- crops, technologies, and practices in agricul- duction needs of the nation’s people and mil- able from the comparatively limited ture. These research findings help address lions more overseas places huge demands on structures found in crude oil. critical needs of the nation’s farmers. NRI- the research community. Researchers sup- Knowledge gained from Biosciences- sponsored plant research is needed to help ported by the NRI and ARS are called upon supported research is leading to prevent future losses of crops to pests, dis- to help farmers produce higher yields while enhanced plants that will provide the eases, and adverse weather conditions, such farming the same or fewer acres of land. At feedstocks for new types of polyurethane, as drought and freezing. the same time, the research community is new biodegradable lubricants, and Advances in science made possible asked to help make farming friendlier to the superior quality nylon having stronger through the NRI will enable farmers to environment. and more flexible fibers, Guerinot reduce their dependency on pesticides and Scientists supported by the NRI and ARS explained. The United States produces antibiotics and to protect the water supply, are responding to these needs. For example, nylon, polyurethane, and other plastics to soils, and fragile ecosystems. research sponsored by the NRI and ARS is supply multibillion-dollar markets. Research sponsored by the NRI con- leading to plants engineered to tolerate high- Genetically modified crop production of tributes to higher yields and safer foods. The er levels of salinity. Increased tolerance of nylon alone could create more than $2 NRI contributes to the talent pool of agricul- future engineered plants to environmental billion in new income for U.S. growers. tural scientists in the states and nation to stresses of cold and freezing will be beneficial Plants are a major source of renewable better serve the needs of producers and con- to growers, consumers, and the environment. and alternative fuels in the United States. sumers. Without grant support from the Much progress has been made in fighting Guerinot said greater knowledge of the NRI, the agricultural research community in plant diseases with crops engineered to resist basic biology of plants will lead to further our nation would be severely weakened. pests. At the same time, the usage of harsh economies in domestic production of The National Research Council Board chemical pesticides has been reduced renewable fuels. on Agriculture and Natural Resources through the use of genetically engineered The House and Senate Appropriations Committee’s report on the NRI in 2000 crops. Research sponsored by the NRI and Subcommittees on Energy and Water strongly endorsed support for this competi- ARS contributed knowledge leading to the Development determine the initial spend- tive grants program. The NRC committee development of these superior crops. ing bill for DOE research and guide the recommended that a major emphasis of the Increased support for the NRI and ARS will bill through to adoption.
NRI continue to be the support of high-risk lead to more varieties of enhanced crops research with potential long-term payoffs. resistant to devastating diseases. Much of this research would be classified as continued on page 20

ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 • 19 Public Affairs continued from page 19 Guerinot, Committee on Public Affairs Human nutrition depends upon Discuss NRI with CSREES Officials plants. Vitamins, minerals, and other important compounds such as essential amino acids come from plants directly or Committee on Public Affairs members and Pam Ronald, and Dan Bush (immediate past indirectly. There remain substantial ques- ASPB President Mary Lou Guerinot president and ex officio member), who tions about how minerals are taken up explained the importance of plant research joined Guerinot and ASPB Public Affairs and essential compounds are made. As programs sponsored by the National staff. (Committee on Public Affairs member these questions are answered by basic Research Initiative Competitive Grants James Siedow, who attended the committee plant research, it will be possible to deter- Program (NRI) in a meeting March 1 with meeting February 28 and 29, had a prior mine how plants can be used to assist in officials of the Department of Agriculture, commitment concerning a federal research providing a healthier mix of nutrients in Cooperative State Research, Education and program March 1.) the diet both in developed and developing Extension Service (CSREES). In addition to explaining the importance countries. Substantial progress can be Anna Palmisano, deputy administrator, of plant research programs, ASPB represen- made in understanding the role of plant Competitive Programs for CSREES, and Mark tatives noted the Society’s efforts to urge con- products in human nutrition with addi- Poth, CSREES research programs director, gressional support for funding of the NRI. tional funding for the NRI and ARS. were joined by NRI national program leaders There was also discussion of what effect larg- for plant research programs at the meeting. ASPB urges appropriating $180 mil- er minimum grant awards in 2004 could ASPB representatives attending the meet- lion to the NRI in fiscal year 2005 and have on the success rate of proposals submit- ing discussed their own rewarding experi- supports a significant increase for ARS ted to the NRI. CSREES reported in a subse-
ences with NRI plant research programs. over the fiscal year 2004 appropriation. quent meeting with an ASPB representative NRI plant research programs include that a minimum grant award amount in the • Plants and Environmental Adaptation 2005 NRI RFA was not likely. • Functional Genomics of Agriculturally ASPB representatives commended the Check Out ASPB’s Important Organisms contributions of national program leaders Ed Kaleikau, Gail McLean, Liang-Shiou Lin, Plant Biology 2004 • Biology of Plant–Microbe Associations • Plant Genome, Bioinformatics, and Ann Lichens-Park, and their colleagues in Online Message Genetic Resources successfully leading plant research programs in the NRI. Board! • Genetic Processes and Mechanisms of Crop Plants CSREES now requires that all research programs fit within six major issue areas: • Applied Plant Genomics—Coordinated Use the PB04 Message Board to • Genomics and Future Food and Fiber network with other attendees and Agricultural Project Production to discuss the upcoming meeting. • Developmental Processes of Crop Plants • Food Safety Just go to http://www.aspb.org/ • Biochemistry of Plants and Plant meetings/pb-2004/ and click on Symbionts • Improving Food, Nutrition, and Com- the PB04 Message Board link. munities for Better Human Health • Plants and Environmental Adaptation • Agricultural and Food Security No log in is required! Just pick a • Plant Biosecurity • Agricultural Opportunity and Rural user name and start a thread or • Biology of Weedy and Invasive Plants. Prosperity reply to someone else. E-mail us CSREES officials have expressed interest in • Natural Resources and Environmental at [email protected] if you receiving science community input on NRI have questions. programs in advance of the NRI Request for Quality. Applications (RFA) for 2005. ASPB has communicated with CSREES See you at PB2004 in Orlando ASPB Committee on Public Affairs mem- on how plant research programs contribute July 24–28! bers attending the meeting included Tom significantly to each of these six major Sharkey (chair), Roger Innes, Steve Howell, areas.

20 • ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 Public Affairs

Committee on Public Affairs, Leadership Visit 16 Congressional Offices

ASPB Committee on Public Affairs members Science Committee; Commerce, Science and Several congressional offices agreed to and President Mary Lou Guerinot visited Transportation Committee; and Appropria- take actions requested by constituent ASPB with their congressional offices March 1 to tions Subcommittee on VA, HUD and members who visited. The date of the visits urge support for federal research programs Independent Agencies were asked for sup- was scheduled to be in advance of the appro- sponsoring plant research. port for NSF and the NSF Directorate for priations subcommittees’ initial deadlines for ASPB members provided one-page sum- Biological Sciences. Members of the Energy receipt of member of Congress requests for mary sheets of their requests, color and Commerce Committee, the Energy and the FY 2005 budget. brochures of leading research, and informa- Natural Resources Committee, and the In advance of the congressional visits, tion on grant fund amounts awarded in their Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy Committee on Public Affairs members and states from federal agencies. The summary and Water Development were asked to sup- leadership participated in the committee sheets explained the need to support partic- port Department of Energy–sponsored meeting February 29 to review developments ular plant research programs in the federal research in the plant sciences. in Congress and the administration affecting budget for fiscal year 2005. Congressional offices visited by commit- plant biology. The committee and leadership Discussions of particular research pro- tee members, leadership, and ASPB staff determined a number of actions to take this grams were related to the committee assign- included senators and congressmen repre- year in support of plant research funding. ments of the members of Congress represent- senting Madison, Wisconsin; Bloomington, Participating in the meeting were Guerinot; ing the visiting plant scientist constituents. Indiana; Davis, California; Fort Collins, committee chair Thomas Sharkey; and com- For example, members of the Committee on Colorado; Hanover, New Hampshire; Ames, mittee members Roger Innes, Pam Ronald, Agriculture or Appropriations Subcommittee Iowa; and areas near Tucson, Arizona. A sub- Steve Howell, James Siedow; and immediate on Agriculture were asked to support plant sequent constituent visit was made with an past president Dan Bush.
research programs sponsored by the appropriations subcommittee member (VA, Department of Agriculture. Members of the HUD and Independent Agencies) represent- ing Raleigh–Durham, North Carolina.

Framed within a suspended rhizosphere of a bronze sculpture of “roots released” are ASPB members John Radin of the USDA Agricultural Research Service (left) and James Siedow of Duke University. The sculp- ture has been one of many attractions on display at the U.S. Botanic Garden, along with a rain forest, a wall of orchids, and plants from throughout the world. The U.S. Botanic Garden, situated on Capitol Hill, features descriptive exhibits with story boards to increase public understanding of plant biology.

ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 • 21 Public Affairs

Blechl Discovers Secret to “Winterizing” Wheat Plants

Much of the flour that goes into breads, pasta, The Davis team is the first to isolate and Currently, Blechl is investigating ways to cakes, breakfast cereals, and other foods copy—or clone—VRN2 from wheat. The genetically improve wheat to reduce sticki- comes from so-called winter wheats, planted researchers report their discoveries in the ness of wheat dough. Stickiness causes prob- in fall and harvested in spring. March 12, 2004, issue of Science, one of the lems in commercial bakeries as well as in A mostly mysterious network of genes world’s leading research journals. home kitchens. orchestrates the growth of winter wheat seeds Plant geneticist and ASPB member Ann At UC–Davis, the VRN2 research is led by to ensure that wheat plants won’t flower and E. Blechl of the ARS Western Regional Jorge Dubcovsky, a professor of agronomy form grain until the greatest danger of killer Research Center provided the highly sought- and range science, whose team had earlier frosts has passed. This is accomplished after expertise necessary to successfully insert isolated, cloned, and established the identity through a natural mechanism known as “ver- genes into wheat plants. Those plants were of VRN1, a wheat gene that also has a role in nalization,” during which the developing essential for proving VRN2’s role. vernalization. seedling must undergo several weeks of expo- Several years ago, Blechl and her Albany ASPB member Jeffrey Bennetzen of the sure to cold temperatures of 40–50 degrees colleagues were among the first in the world University of Georgia co-authored the article Fahrenheit before it can resume developing to use tools of modern biotechnology to in Science on this research. into stems, leaves, and flowers. introduce genes into wheat. Wheat’s recalci- This report is from the ARS News Service, Now, Agricultural Research Service [ARS] trance to accept new genes had greatly Agricultural Research Service, USDA, March scientists have helped colleagues at the slowed the progress of research designed to 12, 2004.
University of California at Davis and else- give this grain crop new genes to boost toler- where develop the best-yet evidence of the ance to drought or to improve its nutritional role of a gene called VRN2 in vernalizing value, for instance. wheat plants.

The Definitive Resource for Relevant Research in Plant Biology A n n u a l R e v i e w o f P l a n t B i o l o g y ®

Now Available in Print and Online—Volume 55, June 2004 Editor: Deborah P. Delmer, The Rockefeller Foundation Associate Editor: Sabeeha Merchant, University of California, Los Angeles

The Annual Review of Plant Biology, in publication since 1950, covers the significant developments in the field of Plant Biology, including Biochemistry and Biosynthesis, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Cell Differentiation, Tissue, Organ and Whole Plant Events, Acclimation and Adaptation, and Methods. The Annual Review of Plant Biology is ranked #1 by impact factor of all Plant Sciences publications among the 135 publications assessed by the ISI® Journal Citation Reports (JCR®).

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22 • ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 ASPB Education Forum

Compiled and edited by Sheila Blackman, Grand Valley State University, Biology, One Campus Drive, Allendale, MI 49401, [email protected]

Education-Related Activities at Plant Biology 2004

If you’re attending the ASPB annual meeting in Orlando this summer, here are some education-related activities to mark on your calendar.

Saturday, July 24 Undergraduate Networking Pre-Mixer/Poster Session: 2:00–3:00 pm Undergraduate students attending the conference will have an opportunity to display their posters and meet each other, along with their advisers and other interested parties (after the reception the posters will be relocated with the general posters in the appropriate subject area).

Sunday, July 25 Small Colleges/Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUI) Networking Breakfast: 7:00–8:30 am The theme this year is “The Role of the PUI Faculty in the Scientific Community.” As always, we will have time for some informal networking.

Sunday, July 25, 7:30–10:00 pm Education Workshop The Promises and Perils of Using Internet Tools in Education will be the topic of this year’s Education workshop. There will be presen- tations on Plants-In-Motion: An On-line Teaching Resource, Exploration of Plant Cells by Undergraduate and High School Students, Learning Biology Through Computer Simulations and Animations, Images of Plant Cell Biology on CD-ROM, Utilizing Virtual Laboratories to Enhance Secondary Biology Education, and Introductory Biology: Bringing Your Own Research into the Classroom. The Education Committee is organizing a celebration in honor of Kenneth Thimann’s 100th birthday! The celebration will include a cake and reflections of Thimann’s contributions to plant biology and will be held at the Education Booth at a time to be announced. Throughout the meeting, there will be exhibits and displays at the ASPB Education Booth. Winners of the Education Booth compe- tition will be there to share their innovative strategies for education in plant biology, and bookmarks and other ASPB education mate- rials will be available. Education posters are on display throughout the meeting. See the January/February 2004 edition of the ASPB News Education Forum for descriptions of some of last year’s posters. All ASPB members are allowed to submit a poster in the education category. It’s not too late to showcase your creativity!

“The Adventures of the Agronauts” Development of an Outstanding Online Science Curriculum

Recently, a group of scientists from the tion Committee), Chris Brown (NSCORT A Good Fit NASA Specialized Center of Research and director), and Courtney Thornton (NSCORT In 2002, NSCORT realized that 45 percent of Training (NSCORT) in Gravitational outreach coordinator) spearheaded a com- the outreach they conducted in that year was for Biology at North Carolina State University third-grade students. On investigation, they mitment to include an outreach component. developed a successful online science cur- found that NSCORT science is a good fit with (NASA funding supports both the research riculum in collaboration with elementary the goals of the third-grade science curriculum and outreach activities.) The story of how the school teachers. NSCORT is a consortium of in North Carolina, which states that “The learn- 11 project leaders from four institutions. scientists and elementary school teachers col- er will build an understanding of plant growth Although research is the primary focus of laborated on this project is enlightening as and adaptations; soil concepts; the earth/moon/ the consortium, Eric Davies (ASPB Educa- ASPB explores further outreach efforts. sun system; and light and heat concepts.”

continued on page 24

ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 • 23 Education continued from page 23 Final project—Your final and biggest and more likely that an NSCORT resource Considering this unique fit between project is to pull together all of the informa- would be used.” NSCORT research and the state standards, tion you have learned! Find a moon map and The concept was refined from the teacher the NSCORT outreach team decided to cre- choose a location on the moon for your plant feedback, and a pilot group was formed of ate a curriculum resource that would bring growth chamber. Decide one plant that you teachers that are using the curriculum in their current space biology research into North want to grow in your chamber. In your classrooms in the 2003–2004 academic year. Carolina’s third-grade classrooms statewide Agronaut Log, write why you chose this “The teachers have provided online biweekly in a proactive way. The idea emerged to create plant. Then, draw a sketch of what you think feedback on the use of the curriculum in the a year-long curriculum for third-grade sci- your plant growth chamber would look like. ence with a theme of using plants for human Explain each part of the design and why you classroom since August 2003. One of the first life support on an imaginary moon base. included each part of your design. Explain things they noticed was the reading level: It how your plant chamber provides the seven was too high for where most of their students The Final Product things plants need to grow. would enter in the third grade. Based on their The web site “Adventures of the Agronauts” suggestions, we’ve made great efforts to gets students to think about how to grow Scientist/Teacher Dialogue address this and also are in the process of plants on the moon (www.ncsu.edu/project/ NSCORT researchers worked with teachers adding sound files to each page. That way, agronauts; also available through the ASPB throughout the development of the Agronaut Education web page (http://www.aspb.org/ curriculum and are continuing to refine the students can hear the webpage being read resource in response to teacher feedback to education), under K–12). The program com- while they follow along,” Thornton said. ensure that this effort reaches the students. prises six “missions” in which students inves- NSCORT is also preparing to augment Initially, third-grade teachers in the tigate topics such as plants, light, and the the content of the curriculum in response to Triangle area of North Carolina were sur- moon. Students create an “Agronaut Log” in changing state standards. “The North veyed via e-mail to help NSCORT under- which they record information as they learn it. Carolina third-grade curriculum for sci- stand the realities of teaching science in A few of the activities follow: third-grade classrooms. A core group of six ence will be revised starting next year to Mission 1 (What’s in Our Sky)—Entry 7. teachers was selected to provide contin- include the skeletal and muscular systems,” Draw the phases of the moon in your uous advice on project direction and Thornton notes. “This is a great fit with the Agronaut Log. You will begin a moon jour- development. Agronauts’ missions, and we have already nal. Every night for one month, look outside The teachers said their ideal product composed a new section on the human body and find the moon in the night sky. Draw in would in space and on earth, with emphases on your log book what the moon looks like, and • contain highly visual materials these two systems. We hope to launch that determine what phase it is in. • contain explicit instructions and forms new section by the end of the spring.” Mission 2 (The Root of the Matter)— • integrate reading, writing, and The Agronaut program is already spread- Entry 13. We learned in Mission 1 that the mathematics ing beyond its target audience; there is a sci- moon does not have an atmosphere. This • be flexible and appropriate for multiple ence museum in rural North Carolina that means that there is no wind on the moon. We ability levels. has created a summer camp program based know that there are no animals on the moon. The teachers also indicated that because on the Agronauts. Adds Thornton, “The pos- So how could pollen be transferred between science is currently not tested at the end of sibilities are endless, particularly when plants and plant parts on the moon? Write the year for third graders, that content takes placed in the hands of creative individuals your ideas in your Agronaut Log. a “back seat” to math and reading. Courtney outside of NSCORT who have needs that this Mission 5 (Living Things in Space)— Thornton expressed it this way: “We heard resource can address.”
Entry 30. If you had to choose three plants loud and clear from teachers that the more right now to take into space as the first moon we could integrate reading, writing, and Mary Williams crops, which three would you take? math in the science curriculum, the better [email protected]

24 • ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 Education

More Than 1,000 Teachers Visit ASPB Educational Booth at NSTA Convention in Atlanta

ASPB partnered with Wisconsin Fast Plants the teachers. Her main demonstration was is a member of the ASPB Committee on to exhibit at the 52nd annual National “Smiling Faces,” which showed where a spe- Public Affairs. One of the students who stop- Science Teachers Association Convention in cific nutrient is located in seeds and the ped by the exhibit was a high school senior Atlanta, Georgia, April 1–4, 2004. The process of digestion in plants and animals. from Macon, Georgia. Barry spent one-on- Executive Committee approved the funding Her 500 Petri dishes were long gone by the one time with her, answering questions about sought by the Education Committee for this last day, and K–12 teachers and curriculum careers and opportunities in plant science. joint educational outreach effort aimed development professionals walked the long After the NSTA meeting, the student came to toward the K–12 community. More than Congress Center hallways showing off Athens, Georgia, for the state science fair. 1,000 teachers interacted with representa- their saliva smiley face on a purple-iodine- While there, Barry reports that she “made her tives at the ASPB booth. indicator background of starch. decision to enroll as a freshperson in the fall The Society’s booth featured ASPB mem- Answering many questions and promoting and as a plant biology major. She’s a winner. ber Suzanne Cunningham of Purdue plant sciences at the ASPB exhibit was ASPB We spent two hours together here. So going to University’s Agronomy Outreach Program, member Barry Palevitz of the University of Atlanta turned out to be a plus for our who conducted interactive experiments with Georgia (Athens) Biology Department. Barry department and for the field. I will try to get her involved in the Society as a student.” The Wisconsin Fast Plants program engaged teachers in a hands-on activity to investigate seed germination. Teachers left the booth with a germination necklace and a list of questions to ask students about what a seed needs to germinate and what can be taught when starting with a seed. Other booth high- lights included pollination of Fast Plants flow- ers, Brassica butterfly activities, and a genetics activity entitled “Who’s the Father?” New to the booth this year were two miniature Bottle Biology constructions on display: bottle dome gardens and bottle aquaria. Two handouts were updated for this event: How Many Plants in a Fast-Food ASPB exhibit booth at NSTA meeting, April 1–4, 2004. Whitney Hagins (left), a teacher repre- Hamburger? (which asks students to write sentative from Lexington High School, Massachusetts, stands in the Wisconsin Fast Plants dis- down how many plants go into making a play area with three Aloha-shirted ASPB representatives nearby (left to right): Barry Palevitz, burger) and House Plants (where students University of Georgia; Paula Brooks, ASPB Education Foundation assistant; and Suzanne write down how many items made of plants Cunningham, Agronomy Outreach, Purdue University, Indiana. are located in an average house). The Principles of Plant Biology bookmarks were, as always, a popular giveaway. About 1,000 Christie Pinter, Wisconsin Fast Plants of each of these items were handed out dur- (left), with Whitney Hagins, a teacher ing the meeting. from Lexington High School, ASPB Education Foundation assistant Massachusetts, who also helped the Paula Brooks helped staff the booth. Wisconsin Fast Plants section of the ASPB exhibit booth during the NSTA Hundreds of educators’ names were col- meeting. lected for use in follow-up contact to enhance our outreach activities to the K–12 community.

ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 • 25 Education

SURF Recipients for 2004

ASPB Summer Undergraduate Fellowship Award Winners

In this fourth year of the ASPB Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program, eight students have been selected to receive $3,000 grants to conduct independent investigations this summer. They will then present their research at the 2005 ASPB annual meeting to be held in Seattle, Washington. The students’ mentors receive an additional $500 toward supplies and materials. There were 28 Category A (Research and Doctoral Universities) applicants and 17 Category B (Master’s Universities, Baccalaureate Colleges, and Associate of Arts Colleges) applicants, for a total of 45 qualified applicants. The reviewers were impressed by the high quality of the appli- cants’ projects and the commitment of all the students and their mentors to their ongoing research. This program was once again co-chaired by Jon Monroe, James Madison University, and Mark Brodl, Trinity University. The co-chairs express their appreciation to the ASPB Executive Committee for providing ASPB Good Works Funds to support the fellowship program and to the reviewers for contributing many hours. Students and mentors will want to keep an eye on the ASPB home page, starting in December 2004, for the next SURF announcement.

Zafia Anklesaria, University of Carolina Russo Dallett, Univer- William E. Draper, Reed College Joseph W. Foley, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill sity of California at Berkeley Project: Heterologous Expression Minnesota–Twin Cities Project: Genetic Dissection of Project: Functionally Important of Nodule Specific GSTs from Project: Positional Cloning of the Signaling Hierarchy in Arabidop- Regions of DEMETER in Gene Soybean APM1 Gene in Chlamydomonas sis Disease Resistance Transcription Mentor: David A. Dalton reinhardtii Mentor: Jeff Dangl Mentor: Robert L. Fischer Mentor: Carolyn D. Silflow

I am thrilled that I have received In pursuit of my goals, I never I am honored to have been This fellowship and the invita- the ASPB fellowship and that I thought I would be given such selected for this award and am tion to ASPB’s annual meeting will be working on this challeng- opportunity as the one I have eager to begin work this sum- represent an entrance into the ing and exciting project this encountered, to conduct plant mer. I look forward to work scientific community. With luck, summer. I am sure this opportu- genetics research on a topic I find where the outcomes are not defi- diligence, and this award, I hope nity will be a valuable learning to be fundamental. The ASPB nite and where new territory is to make great progress in my experience for me, and I hope to Summer Undergraduate Research being probed. This summer will research project and contribute be enriched even more by all the Fellowship will make it possible undoubtedly provide an impor- to plant biology while advancing extraordinarily intelligent people for me to spend this summer tant learning experience, and I my own understanding of the that work beside me in Jeff doing work relevant to my am thankful to ASPB for provid- field. ASPB has my most pro- Dangl’s lab. Thank you for preparation for graduate school, ing this opportunity. found gratitude for this generous choosing me to be one of the as well as give me the opportuni- support and encouragement. recipients of such an honor. I am ty to spend more time in the lab. looking forward to presenting Much thanks to ASPB and to my my work at the ASPB conference mentors for all their support. next year.

26 • ASPB News, Vol. 31, No. 3 Education

Arthur Millius, Rice University– Russell A. Scott, Rochester Noelle Wakefield, Chicago State John Withers, Ohio University Sid Richardson College Institute of Technology University Project: Investigation of a Project: Investigating How IBA Project: Acyl-homoserine Lactone Project: Promoter Identification Cytochrome P-450 Protein in the β-oxidation Affects Auxin Profiles of Agrobacterium vitis of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Roots of Arabidopsis thaliana and Homeostasis in Arabidopsis Under Various Nitrogen and β-amylase Its Relationship to the Gravity Mentor: Bonnie Bartel Carbon Conditions Mentor: Joyce Ache Gana Persistence Signal Loci (GPS) Mentor: Michael A. Savka Mentor: Sarah Wyatt

When I learned about the ASPB The opportunity to continue I am extremely excited and Participating in the ASPB Sum- fellowship, I jumped out of my research full-time this summer is pleased to receive an award from mer Undergraduate Research chair and screamed from pure most exciting. It will be very ASPB. I am sure that this oppor- Fellowship program will be a joy and exhilaration. I am so rewarding to study the effects of tunity will allow me to further great opportunity to enhance excited to continue my project environment on bacterial signal- my goals and aspirations. I want skills and knowledge that will on auxin homeostatsis and ing, as 18 years of life on a farm to thank ASPB and my mentor, undoubtedly be very useful in thrilled to present my research at have made me aware of patholo- Dr. Gana, for supporting my achieving my long-term goals as a national conference with gy’s role in agricultural expendi- research and opening so many a plant biologist. I am looking experts in their field! ASPB SURF tures and yields. Furthermore, I doors. Obtaining the structure of forward to traveling to the ASPB is such a unique opportunity for look forward to presenting our the β-amylase gene found in Summer 2005 national meeting undergraduates to initiate and findings at an ASPB conference. Medicago sativa will give me to share the results of my sum- excel in research at an early age The process of researching, pre- insight on the function of this mer research project and to that I feel blessed to receive this senting, and learning from the gene. Hopefully, I will be able to investigate possible opportuni- award. input of my mentor and others inspire others to embark on a ties for graduate-level studies. should be highly informative and career in plant biology because Thank you, ASPB, for helping to thought-provoking. I cordially plants are a vital part of our lives. provide such an opportunity. thank my mentor and ASPB for this incredible honor and learn- ing experience. Honorable Mentions

Cailie Burke-West, Trent University, Ontario, Mallory Ann Havens, Knox College Anna Trofka, Colorado State University Canada Project: Rubisco and Rubisco Activase Levels Project: Cloning and Characterization of Project: Spatial and Temporal AQP Gene in Soybeans Grown in Increased Ozone and an Arabidopsis Two-Component Responsive Expression in Roots of Pea (Pisum sativum) Carbon Dioxide Environments Promoter Mentor: Neil Emery Mentor: Robert Ewy Mentor: June Medford

Brian DeVree, Michigan Technological Stephanie L. Sadlon, Hobart and William University Smith Colleges Project: Videographic Analysis of the Inhibited Project: Does the Cauliflower Gene Make Locomotion of Diatom sp Cauliflower? Mentor: Michael Gretz Mentor: Thomas Björkman

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