Vol. 21, No.5 September IOctober 1994 NEWSLETTE American Society of Plant Physiologists

Inside This Issue .... ASPP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE APPROVES CREATION

3 OF EDUCATION FOUNDATION Zavala Honored Jones Urges ASPP Members To Place Priority on Education 5 Many things conspired to make our 70th foundation to raise funds that the Society ASPP Educ ation Foundation annual meeting in Portland a tremendous could use to support worthy activities success. Don Ort and his program com­ other than managing its day-to-day affairs 6 mittee and Ken Beam, Susan Chambers, and publishing its journals. Kende's idea Education Forum and other headquarters staff planned an was not actively taken up until I as presi­ almost flawless meeting that was made an dent and Jim Siedow as president-elect of 8 even greater success by a week of won­ your Society decided to make the estab­ Minority Affa irs derful weather and a setting that will be lishment of a foundation a major goal. hard to match Planning for the foundation began in 9-11 The Portland meeting was also a great January 1994 when the operations sub­ Public Affairs scientific success with attendees giving committee (comprising the chair of the • USDA high marks to the symposia as well as the board of trustees, the past president, presi­ • NSF, DOE Funding new minisymposia. We look forward to dent-elect, and sitting president of ASPP, • Pl a nt Biotechnology your evaluation via the survey of meeting and the executive director) met in • Containment Guidelines participants that Don Ort and the program Rockville with three individuals who were • White House Science Report committee distributed. knowledgeable about foundations and Several administrative milestones were fund raising. With this start and more 12 reached at the Portland meeting. The ex­ research, Ken Beam, Jim Siedow, and I Letter to Membership/ ecutive committee supported the proposal met in June of this year to plan the specif­ Fellowships and Traineeships that the committee on the status of women ics of the foundation and to prepare a in plant physiology be made a standing proposal that we brought to the execu­ 13 committee of the Society. The new ad hoc tive committee in Portland. This proposal NSF Dea dlines committee on minority affairs was also was approved by the executive commit­ endorsed by the executive committee, and tee, and the text is published in its en­ 14 this committee's plans to raise money from tirety on page 5 of this newsletter. ASPP Award Winners federal sources to encourage participation After considerable discussion, the ex­ by underrepresented minorities were en­ ecutive committee agreed that the foun­ 17 thusiasticall y endorsed. The executive dation should be called the American Gatherings committee agreed to increase the Society's Society of Plant Physiologists Education efforts in education by approving an in­ Foundation (ASPPF.F). It was generally 23 crease in the size of the education com­ agreed that the primary function of the Jobs mittee from four members to six. Last, but Foundation would be to raise money from assuredly not least, the executive commit­ corporate and private donors to support tee approved establishing an education its mission-education-and its goal-to foundation. promote knowledge about plant sciences The notion that ASPP should establish in schools and in the global society. a foundation is not new. When Hans One of the most important challenges Kende was a member of the board of trust­ that ASPP faces is society's general igno­ ees, he proposed that ASPP establish a continued on page 2

Deadline for the J November/December issue Text of Proposal to Create an ASPP Education Foundation of the A.SPP Newsletter Appears on Page 5 of This Newsletter. is October 15, 1994. I L----_ 2 ASPP Newsletter continued from page I have been established by our sister bio­ are involved and how those issues are rance about plant biology. The teaching logical science societies, and many of our critical to their own well being? of biology in elementary and secondary members have been actively involved in The proposal to establish the Founda­ schools is generally poor, but the quality these programs. For example, the Ameri­ tion includes the transfer of $1 million of education in plant biology is even can Society of Biochemistry and Molecu­ from the Society'S general endowment worse. Gauged by the preparation that lar Biology (ASBMB) has an active edu­ fund of about $3.5 million to the ASPPEF college freshmen have received in plant cation committee that oversees an intern­ endowment. The importance of this trans­ science, the situation could be described ship program for high school biology fer of part of our total endowment is that as critical. As professional plant biologists, teachers. Jack Preiss from the Department potential donors will see that the mem­ we must accept some of the blame fo r this of Biochemistry at Michigan State Uni­ bers of ASiJP place a high priority on the situation. Although there are members of versity is a member of ASBMB's educa­ ASPPEF. The use of the ASPPEF endow­ ASPP who have been particularly ac tive tion committee, and Ken Keegstra, now ment fund will be subject to the same in promoting the teaching of plant sci­ from the Plant Research Laboratory at restrictions as exif' t for the ASPP endow­ ences in schools, there has not been a Michigan State, acted as a mentor in the ment. Thus, the 5% spending limit will concerted effort by ASPP to promote plant summer of 1992 at the University of Wis­ remain in effect for this portion of our biology teaching. One of the goals of the consin-Madison for a teacher enrolled in endowment funds, meaning that no more ASPPEF is to help rectify this situation. ASBMB's internship program. Such ven­ than $50,000 of the ASPPH endowment !L ike all worthwhile ventures, ASPP's tures are costly, however. By establishing may be spent annually. The endowment goal of improving the teaching of plant the ASPPEF, the Society hopes to raise fund will continue to grow at an annual science in our schools will require the in­ funds from new and different sources to rate of about 8% if investment returns of vestment of time and money. I am asking s upport this and other types of ed uca­ the past five years hold. ASPP members to become involved in our tional activities. As members of ASPP, you can show teaching effort at the grass-roots level by The ASPPEF should also take the lead your support for your Society's efforts in involving themselves with teachers in in promoting public understanding of the education in two ways. The first demon­ their local school systems. For example, plant sc iences. Advances in agricultural stration of support will be to vote for the by acting as mentors to high school biol­ biotechnology have raised public aware­ ASPPEl: when it appears on the annual ogy teachers, ASPP members can promote ness of plant biology, but it is clear that ballot in the spring of 1995. You will be pla nt biology as a valid and worthwhile public understanding of the issues sur­ asked to approve the establishment of the discipline. ASPP should also consider es­ rounding biotechnology is modest. How ASPPEr as Article XII of the Society'S con­ tablishing an internship program whereby can we as plant scientists expect the ~titution and bylaws, which are printed at K-12 teachers can spend time in the labo­ public's continued support of research in the back of your 1994 Membership Direc­ ratories of ASPP members. plant biotechnology if we do not help tory. Several successful internship programs them understand the scientific issues that The second way you can demonstrate your support for the goals of the Founda­ tion is by donating whatever you can af­ ford to the Foundation when a solicita­ tion is sent. I encoura ge ASPP members to be generous in their dona hons to ASPPEF. As president I shall donate to the Founda hon the honora ri um tha t is given this position. The success of the ASPPH w ill depend on the commitment of ASPP's member­ ship and on the vision and lead ership of the individual who agrees to serve as its chair. I ask for your help in identifying possible candidates from among our mem­ bership and from the community of plant biologists at large. [his will be my last letter as your presi­ dent. Lt has been a privilege to serve ou r Society, and the experience is one I shall not forget. I know that my colleagues Jim Siedow and Bob Buchanan will continue the thrust in education that we have ini­ tia ted, and I look forward to working with them to achieve the goals that have been East met West at the ASPP annual meE:ting in Portland. Oregon, when the president of set. the Ru ssian Society of Plant Physiologists joined the three ASPP presidents for this Russell L. Jones photograph. From left: ASPP Post President Rolph Quatrano, President Russell Jones, ASPP President, 1993-94 Russian SOCiety President Valentin Kefeli , and President-Elect Jim Siedow. Cniversity of California, Berkeley September/October 1994, Vol. 21, No.5 3 ASPP Officers and Staff Zavala Is Outstanding Professor

1993-1994 Officers The California State University at President Northridge in May of this year awarded Russell L. Jones (510-642-1486) the title of Outstanding Professor to ASPP President-Elect member Dr. Maria Elena Zavala. Dr. ; ames ~ : . ~iedow (919-684-6573) Immediate Past President Zavala, a professor of biology, has been Ralph S. Quatrano (919-962-2098) on the faculty at CSUN since August 1988, ::ecretnry Donald ;:; . Ort (217-331-2093) when she was hired as an associate pro­ '{reasurer fessor. She teaches two undergrad uate iV'ark Jacobs (21 :;-328-8039) courses per semester, team teaches a Chair, Board of Trustees :.arry N. Yanderhoef (916-752-2067) graduate course, runs an active research Chair, Publications Committee program, serves as adviser to several Dr. Maria Elena Zavala Stanley Roux (512-471-4238) master's degree candidates, advises Elected Members Frank C. Greene (706-546-3541) Chicanos for Community Medicine, was a she could best benefit the minority com­ Ela ine M. Tobin (310-825-7700) board member and treasurer of the Soci­ munity by teaching and encouraging stu­ Kenneth Keegstra (517-353-2270) ety for the Advancement of Chicanos and dents to pursue science. She accepted the Sectional Representatives Midwestern Native Americans for five years, served as position at Michigan State in the Depart­ Mary Jo Yesper (513-229-2:;02) ad hoc reviewer for NSF and NIH, is on ment of Biochemistry and stayed from Northeastem the Minority Affairs Committee of the 1986 until 1988. Bernard Rubinstein (413-545-2542) Southern American Society for Cell Biology, is on The two NIH programs that Dr. Zavala Will iam H. Outlaw Jr. (904-644 -4020) an NIH review committee, and is director oversees at CSUN are called Minority Washington , DC of three special programs, two of which Access to Research Careers (MARC) and j . Michael Robinson (301 -504-6633) Western are NIH-funded programs for minority Minority Biomedical Research Support Terri Lomax (503-737·5278) students and faculty. (MBRS). MARC encourages promising Maria Elena Zavala, a native of Califor­ undergraduates from underrepresented nia, earned a bachelor's degree in botany groups to pursue careers in scientific re­ Headquarters Office 15501 Monona Drive from Pomona College in 1972. As a gradu­ search. One measure of the success of the Rockville, MD 20855-2768 USA ate student at university of California, program is that, whereas few minority Phone: 301-251-0560 • Fax: 301-279-2996 Berkeley, she studied with plant cell bi­ students from CSUN were accepted in ExeClltive director, Kenneth M. Beam, ext. 15 ologist William Jensen and botanist Rob­ graduate programs before MARC was (e-mail [email protected]) ert Ornduff and wrote her doctoral disser­ initiated, minority graduates of CSC\) are tation on pollen development in now enrolled in Ph.D. programs at Administrative Staff Director of finance and administration, heterostylus plants. After earning her Ph.D. Stanford, Harvard, CC Davis, CC Irvine, Susan K. Chambers, ext. 11 in 1978, Zavala worked as a postdoctoral and the University of Iowa. MBRS assists (e-mail [email protected]) associate in the laboratory of Paul faculty members in institutions with a Accountant, Thomas M. Dushney, ext. 10 Member services coorditra tor, Mahlberg at Indiana University in 1978- significant minority population to increase Sharon Y. Kelly, ext. 29 79, as a staff researcher for the uSDA in their own research productivity. The pro­ Receptionist, Estella Coley, ext. 22 Berkeley from 1979 to 1982, and as a Ford gram also provides funding to those fac­ Mail room clerk, Marian Osuji, ext. 12 Foundation postdoctoral fellow in the labo­ ulty members to support minority und\!r­ Public Affairs Staff ratory of Ian Sussex at Yale University graduates as laboratory assistants. Public affairs director, Brian M. Hyps, ext. 14 from 1q82 to 1986. Dr. Zavala's career and dedication to (e-mail [email protected]) Dr. Zavala, one of very few Chic.1nas in teaching are an excellent example of the Publications Staff the United States who holds a Ph.D. in type of commitment that ASPP President Publications director, jody Carlson, ext. 17 plant biology, has been deeply committed Russell Jones urges on ASPP members in (fax 301-251-8813; (e-mail [email protected]) to using her career to bendit minority his fina I letter to the membership (see Managing edHor, Plallt Physiology, groups. Following her time in the Sussex page 1). Her achievement is also notable Deborah I. Weiner, ext. 18 (e-mail [email protected] t) lab at Yale, she decided to go to medical as ASPP's new Committee on Minority Managing editor, T HE PLA NT CEL L, school, thinking she would be of more Affairs begins an active program to en­ judith E. GroHman, ext. 19 service as a physician than as a scientist. courage participa tion by members of (e-mail grol\[email protected]) underrepresented groups and to seek to News and Reviews editor, THE PLA NT CELL, She had been accepted to medical school Rebecca Chasan, ext. 21 when she was offered the opportunity to increase the numbers of minority students (e-mail [email protected]) join the faculty at Michigan State Univer­ who select plant biology as their life's Production editor, Plant Physiology, W. Mark Leader, ext. 23 sity as the Rosa Parks/Cesar Chavez Vis­ work (see page 8). [he members of ASPP Productio" editor, THE PLA NT CELL, iting Professor. After some soul-searching, congratulate Maria Elena Zavala on her Catherine A. Balogh, ext. 16 she rethought her plan and concluded tha t well-earned recognition from CSL!\J. Manuscript manager, Annette Kessler, ext. 20 (e-mail [email protected]) The ASPP NEWSL E'/TER is distributed to att ASPP membe rs .nd is pubtished six times annually. in odd· numbered months. \I Manuscript clerk, Sylvia J. Braxton, ext. 25 is edited and prepi'lred by ASpP staff from material provid('

Mission Sta tement The American Society of Plant PhYSiologists Education Foundation (ASPPEF) promotes and supports education in the plant sciences to enhance the role of the plant sciences in a global society.

Goals 1. To promote the teaching of plant sciences at all levels. 2. To advance public understanding and appreciation of the value of plant sciences to the welfare of society. 3. To support the development of new initiatives in emerging areas of plant science education. 4. To p rovide a mechanism for individuals and organizations to support education and research in the plant sciences.

Composition of the ASPPEF Board of Directors The Board of Directors will be a standing committee of the Society and shall consist of one member deSignated as the Chair appointed to a three-year term by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee, twelve members recommended by the Chair and the President for approval by the Executive Committee, and the following ex officio members: the president, the president-elect, the immediate past president, the chair of the board of trustees, the treasurer, and the executive director. Each appointed member of the Board of Di rectors will serve a three-year term (NOTE: Initially, the terms of the twelve with be staggered such that four will be appointed for four-year terms, four for three-year terms and four for two-year terms).

Duties of the ASPPEF Board of Directors The Board of Directors of the ASPPEF shall oversee the management of all activities of the Foundation. fhe ASPPEr will report to the Executive Committee through the Chair of its Board of Directors. The Board of Directors w ill be responsible for developing the ASPPEF budget, which will be presented to the Board of Trustees to be included as part of the Society's annual budgetary process. Final approval of the ASPPf.F budget will rest with the Executive Committee.

Approval The structure o utlined above will be subject to the approval of the ASPP membership as required by the constitu­ tion and bylaws of the Society. Until this approval is granted, the ASPPEF Board of Directors will exist as an ad hoc committee of the Executive Committee of the Society.

Review Continuation of the Foundation will be subject to review once every five years by the Executive Committee to examine the ASPPEF operation and success in achieving its goals. The review committee will be an ad hoc committee chaired by the Past President and consisting of five other individuals appointed by the President. The Review Committee will make a recommendation to the Executive Committee which will then make a decision regarding continued authorization of the ASPPEF.

Budgetary Issues 1. The ASPPEF budget will be developed by the Board of Directors as a self-contained, independent fund within the overall society budget. 2. To provide an initial base of funding for the ASPPEF, one million dollars will be moved from the ASPP General Endowment into a separate (restricted) fund, to be desionated the ASPP Education Foundation Endowment. Use of the funds in the ASPPEF Endowment will be subject to the same annual limit of 5.0% of the market value currently associated with the use of the General Endowment.

Duties or the Chair of the Board or Directors The duties of the Chair of the Board of Directors incl ude directing the activities of the Foundation, working with the President to identify members of the Board of Directors, recruiting volunteers to accomplish Foundation goals, assisting in cultivating corporations, foundations and other donors compatible with ASPPEF goals, and reporting to and serving as a member of the ASPP Executive Committee. I See related story on page 1 of this Newsletter. 6 ASPP Newsletter EDUCATION FORUM copy of the photosynthesis video from Education Survey Cornell that was shown at the booth, Thanks to all of you who have so contact Carol Reiss (215 Plant Science Compiled by Susan Singer, Department of promptly returned the education Biology, Carleton College, Northfield, iviN Building, Cornell University, Ithaca, ~ survey from the last Newsletter. If you 55057, e-mail ssinger(d) carleton.edu 14853, e-mail [email protected]). The haven't completed one, there is still cost is $28. time. Please send it to Brian Hyps at Education Inspiration at the As usual, the teaching posters were ASPP headquarters. The Education Annual Meeting diverse in subject and full of exciting Committee will compile the results and I returned from Portland with new possibilities for the classroom. share them with you in an upcoming renewed appreciation for the diverse Topics ranged from gravitropic experi­ Education Forum. and meaningful ways ASPP members ments using dandelions to tissue culture are actively involved in so many to a model program utilizing graduate New Education COl'Y1mittee aspects of education. [he new title for students as consultants for undergradu­ Members this column was selected by the ate lab development. Next year the As of October 1, Dale Blevins, Bob education committee to reflect the teaching posters will be by the educa­ Wise, and Dina Mandoli will be joining breadth of all our efforts in educating tion booth! the education committee. Kathie ourselves and others about plant Fishbeck, Ann Hirsch, and John biology. It is especially exciting to see Yet Another ASPP Author: Greenler are moving on to other th(' strong commitment of ASPP to Arthur Galston's new book, Life endeavors and their past contributions education in the proposed ASPP Processes in Plants, is now available from are much appreciated. Carl Pike and Education Foundation. What an W. H. Freeman and Company (1994, Susan Singer will be continuing with opportunity for ASPP to truly make a ISBN 0-7167-5044-9, 245 pages). It is the committee. Brian Hyps is our difference! part of the Scientific American Library liaison at headquarters. We are all Several colleagues shared their series. Galston's intended audience is interested in hearing your thoughts, teaching experiences and insight at our "the intelligent layperson." While it is suggestions, educational successes, etc. pre-meeting workshops, education not really a text, it has some definite for example, contributions to this booth, and education poster presenta­ possibilities for a non-major course. It is Education forum are always needed tions. Sheila Tobias energized her a beautifully illustrated book with and much appreciated. audience to examine approaches to unusually clear diagrams and explana­ testing and grading and to ask what tions. Galston deals with the broad New Internet Discussion Group messages we are sending to our sweep of plant biology in a brief, Need some input on one of your students with our exams. As classes meaningful way. Explanations are courses? Looking for meaningful resume this fall, workshop participants necessarily simplified, but without discussions on education? A mailing may well be looking more closely at the giving the appearance of superficial list for a new prototype BIOSer fit between curricular goals and treatment. newsgroup, "plant-education," has been evaluation strategies. New faculty established for plant biologists who are members who participated in Carol Expectations for College-Bound involved in teaching courses on plants. Reiss's and Jon Monroe's workshop on Stude'lts BlOSCr newsgroups are electronic setting up a lab course will, we hope, Are we asking enough of our stu­ forums using USENET news software be embracing fall term with less dents? The American rederation of or e-mail where subscribers can trepidation ~md some useful strategies, reachers and the National Center for participate in discussions on a variety Carol's decade of lab teaching and Jon's Improving Science Education is begin­ of specific topics. This is the first such recent experience as a new faculty ning to address this issue by looking at mailing list devoted solely to an aspect member combined to provide a bal­ expectations for college-bound students of education. It will complement a anced perspective on making it through abroad. "What College-Bound Students variety of established newsgroups a new lab course with your sanity Abroad are Expected to Know about emphasizing plant research. The plant intact (or almost. .. ). Biology" contains C'xamples of exams education mailing list will allow The education booth was packed from i::ngland and Wales, France, instructors, lab preparators, and with people engaged in the demonstra­ Germany, and japan. It takes a com­ graduate assistants who teach courses tions, as well as conversations about parative look at the enited States, in any aspect of plant biology to teaching. It also offered a gathering questioning not only the level of discuss topics pertaining to their point for the Portland teachers who challenge, but the percentag~s of undergraduate and graduate level plant were invited to our meeting. Many students taking these ('xarns. As you c()urses. thanks to Katie Clark, Dina Mandoli, contemplate the background of students This mailing list is intended to be (1) and Carol RC'iss who developed exhibits entering your college-level introductory a resource for the exchange of labora­ for the booth. Katie updated us on biology courses, you may be interested tory methodologies and classroom navigating the Internet. After Dina's in obtaining a copy of this publication activities, (2) a source of quick help for wonderful computer-aided demonstra­ from the American Federation of last-minute troubleshooting, conditions tion on how to make a great poster, the Teachers, 555 New Jersey Ave., NW, for plant growth, sources of materials, quality of next year's posters should be Washington, DC 20001 (ask for item and practical advice, (3) a forum for even better! If anyone is interested in a 250). continued on page 7 September/October 1994, Vol. 21, No.5 7 ------~ continued from page 6 discussing open-ended investigative laboratory projects, (4) a forum for discussing textbooks, and (5) an archive of searchable information for future use by instructors of plant courses. To subscribe, send the command "subscribe plant-ed" (do not include the quotation marks) to: biosci­ [email protected]. General information about existing BIOSCI newsgroups, subscribing, unsubscribing, searching BrOSCI archives, and FAQs can also be obtained electronically. If you are located in the Americas or Pacific Rim countries, send a messag~ to: [email protected]. Instructions will be returned automatically, so the contents of your message do not matter. If you are located in Europe, Africa, or Central Asia, send an e-mail message contain­ ing the word "help" (again, do not include quotation marks) in the body to: [email protected]. In either case the subject will be ignored. Three of the selleral past presidents of ASPP who attended the annual meeting in As an unmoderated mailing list, all Portland. Oregon. Pictured from left are John Boyer. president in 1981-82; Elisabeth postings will be automatically distrib­ Gantt, ASPP 's first woman president in 1988-89; and Aubrey Naylor. president in 1960-61 uted to all subscribers. Replies can be made either to the sender individually or to all subscribers. As a prototype newsgroup, this mailing list is currently in the trial period in which the purpose and future of the group should be debated. In February of 1995 the future of the group will be put to a vote after which it will either become a full­ fledged newsgroup or be terminated. Therefore, participate and ensure the future if this group! The discussion leaders are Jonathan D. Monroe, Department of Biology, James Madison Cniversity, I Iarrisonburg, V A 22807 (e­ mail: [email protected]) and Susan R. Singer, Biology Depart­ ment, Carleton College, Northfield, MN ~5057 (e-mail: [email protected]). Look for more information on using the Internet as an educational resource in the next Ed ucation Forum.

Some annual meeting attendees sampling the abundant fare at the annual meeting RE MINDE R: dinner dance. Picnic in Portland, August 2. that was held outside on a beautiful. balmy. Changes are coming to trie clear nigrli. llreaking with tradition, Hie party was held on the next to the last night of the onnual meeting rather than the last night in the hope that more people would be ASPP Job Placement encouraged to attend. The experiment was a resounding success I Nearly 500 p eople section beginning with attended and enjoyed a wonderful buffet that was made completely from food grown in Oregon. Even the beers and wines were native to Oregon I After eating to their hearts' ads that appear in contont, a large c rowd stayed until midnight. dOlicing to the music of a local g roup. January 1995. Panama. See p age 23 for details, 8 ASPP Newsletter COMMITTEE ON MINORITY AFFAIRS HOLDS FIRST FORMAL MEETING

The newly formed committee on mi­ ties include identifying and recognizing nority affairs of ASPP had its first formal minorities in ASPP by surveying the meeting in Portland at the annual meet­ membership with the annual dues notice ing. Members of the committee are Bill and conducting a luncheon instead of a Gordon, chair, Deborah Cook, Sheila breakfast at the annual meeting. The com­ Fennoy, Frank Greene, Emil Orozco, mittee considers the luncheon to be an Aurea Vasconcelos, and Eugene Vigil. The important opportunity to honor annually committee established as its primary ob­ a minority as the speaker. jectives "to develop strategies to encour­ With these three objectives, which were age greater participa tion of minorities in presented to and approved by the execu­ ASPP, and to provide opportunities for tive committee, the committee on minor­ underrepre-sented minorities in the field ity affairs believes that it can be a voice Santosh Misra (left) and Maarten of plant physiology." for minority members and represent their Chrispeels (right) enjoy a moment a t the Receiving the strong support of Presi­ views to the Society. The committee looks opening night mixer at the annual meeting in Portland, Oregon. dent Russell Jones and President-Elect Jim forward to communicating with all mem­ Siedow, as well as the executive commit­ bers, particularly minority members, as it tee, the committee on minority affairs has goes forward in its efforts to strengthen proposed to assist the Society in seeking the participation of minority members extramural support from several federal within ASPP and provide opportunities agencies to supplement and support mi­ for these members to present their re­ nority student and faculty attendance at search. the annual meeting. Other planned activi-

Program for Minority Researchers in Plant Sciences Completes Second Successful Summer

The Minority Researchers in Plant Sci­ program, developed two new compo­ ences completed its second summer re­ nents: (1) a minority outreach component search program at Michigan State Univer­ in which plant science faculty members Sity with eleven participants, almost three from Michigan State University visited times as many as last summer. [his year's historically black institutions to provide participants included eight African­ one-week workshops; additional outreach American students from five different workshops are planned for the fall 1994 historically black institutions and three semester; and (2) a mentoring workshop Hispanic students from the University of at Michigan State University to encour­ Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. During the 10- age sensitivity when mentoring students week period, the participants conducted of diverse genders, races, and cultures. Enjoying the Pi c nic in Portland w ere (left) individ ual research projects, attended The MRPS program has been funded Ja n M. And erson. president of the Division of Plant Industry o f CSIRO in Australia. and by grants from DOC, Michigan State Uni­ weekly enrichment seminars, and traveled (right) Anne Datko, o f the NRICGP office in to Indianapolis, Indiana, to tour the plant versity, and Dow /Elanco. ror further in­ Washington. D.C. research facilities of Dow / Elanco. The formation about activities during 1993-94 Honorable Dorothy Gonzales, member of and future plans, you may contact: Dr. the board of trustees of Michigan State Kenneth L. Poff, DOF/Plant Research University, presented certificates of award Laboratory, Michigan State Cniversity, to both students and mentors in the clos­ East Lansing, MI 4S824, telephone 517-353- ing ceremonies of the summer program. 1789, or Dr. William R. Gordon, Depart­ During the year, Bill Gordon (Howard ment of Biology, Howard University, NASA RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT University) and Ken Poff (Michigan State Washington, DC 20059, telephone 202-806- Lniversity), co-coordinators of the MRPS 6933. Watch for a NASA Research Announce­ ment (NRA) related to plant sciences to be rE'leased in September. ror information Deadline for copy for the contact: Tom K. Scott, Code UL, ' ASA November /December issue of the ASPP Newsletter is Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546; fa x c: October 15, 1994. -l 202-358-4168. September/October 1994, Vol. 21, No.5 9 Public Affairs

USDA Officials Prepare Reorganization FY 95 DOE ENERGY Implementation BIOSCIENCES FUNDING AT S28.9 MILLION The National Research Initiative Com­ This internal recommendation re­ petitive Grants Program (NRlCGP) would sponds to proposals in Congress. The Ag­ hscal Year 1995 appropriations for the remain intact as a cohesive program un­ ricultural Research Service (ARS) would Department of Energy were signed into der the reorganization implementation merge with the National Agricultural Public Law 103-316 on August 26. The law plan prepared at the end of August by Library under the proposed reorganiza­ provides $28.9 million for the Division of key USDA officials serving on a steering tion. The Senate passed its reorganization Energy Biosciences for FY 95, an increase committee. plan as part of Senate Bill 1970 on April of $3 million over the President's proposaL The recommended plan is being sent to 13. The House Committee on Agriculture The chief supporter of increased funds USDA Acting Assistant Secretary for Sci­ ordered its bill (HR 3171) reported out of for the Division of Energy Biosciences in ence and Education R. Dean Plowman for committee on June 16. The bill was re­ the House was Rep. Ed Pastor (D-AZ) who his review. Details of the recommenda­ ported out of committee on August 23. met with ASPP members Martha Hawes tion are expected to be released early in The House bill if; on the calendar pend­ and Brian Larkins and also with Hans Van September. ing a vote by the full Ilouse of Represen­ Etten at the University of Arizona. Hawes The details of the recommendation are ta tives. also met with the s taff of Sen. Dennis expected to show that NRICC;P would be The reorganization proposal going to DeConcini (D-AZ), who supported in­ part of a new Cooperative State Research Plowman varies from a plan proposed creased fund ing as a member of the Sen­ and Ed ucation Service (CSRES). CSRES earlier by USDA which called for com­ ate Appropriations Subcommittee on En­ will carry out the functions now per­ bining ARS, CSRS, the Extension Service, ergy and Water Development. formed by the Cooperative State Research and National Agricultural Library into a ASPP members Hans Kende of Michi­ Service (CSRS) and the Extension service. new Agricultural Research and Education gan State University and Peter Albersheim NRlCGP is currently housed within CSRS. Service (ARES). of the University of Georgia played key roles in seeking increased funding. Kende credited Albersheim as someone with "po­ litical vision and initiative." Helping to secure increased funding NSF FY 95 FUNDS UP 5.4 % FOR RESEARCH were ASpr members Terri Lomax of Ur­ egon State Lniversity, Norman Lewis of Senators and Congressmen serving on increases. funding for Academic Research Washington Stat(' University, and Bill a conference committee resolving differ­ Infrastructure is up 138 percent to $250 Lucas of the University of California at ences between the House- and Senate­ million. Major Research Equipment is up Davis, who met with offices of their sena­ passed bills appropriating funds for the 641 percent to $126 million. tors and representative w ho serve on National Science Foundation (NSF) for The Coalition for National Science Appropriations: Sen. Mark Hatfield (R­ Fiscal Year 1995 agreed August 18 to in­ Funding (CNSF), of which ASPP is a OR), Sen. Slade Gorton (R-WA), and Rep. crease funds for NSF by 13.8 percent over member of the steering committee, said Vic Fazio (D-CA). ASPP members Kent this year's amount. This represents an results as positive as the NSF FY 95 ap­ Bradford and Muhammad Aslam, both of increase of $412.8 million to nearly $3.4 propriations in a time of severe budget the University of California at Davis, also billion. The funding level is more than restraints reflect the continuing and con­ wrote to Rep. Fazio in support of Rep. $195 million higher than the Clinton stant messages that CNSF and its mem­ Pastor's proposaL ASPP members William administration's original budget request. ber organizations are sending to Con­ Outlaw, Karthik Aghoram, and Zhirong Research and Related Activities is up gress. House and. Senate approval of the Du, all of Florida State University, wrote 5.4 percent to $2.28 billion. This is consid­ conference report, which had not been to the office of Rep. Douglas "Pete" erably hi gher than the I louse-passed ver­ filed at time of ASPP newsletter publica­ Peterson (D-FL) of the Appropriatioof; sion, which had called for an increase of tion, may occur in September. Subcomitte(' on Energy and Water Devel­ 2.5 percent, but not as hig h as the opment in support of Rep. Pastor's ('ffor t. President's request for $2.34 billion. Funds for Education and Human Resources were You stili have time to return the Outreac h SUNey form that was included in increased by 6.4 percent to $606 million. 1 the July/August issue of the ASPP Newsletter. Funding for the much smaller programs The ASPP Education Committee is interested to hear from you. of Academic Research Infrastructure and Mail your form to Brian Hyps, 1550 1 Monona Drive, Rockville, MD 2085~ Major Research Equipment received huge 10 ASPP Newsletter Urgent Need for Plant Biotechnology Reported Plant Engineering Containment Guidelines A story on the transgenic plants and bicides, should provide effective weed­ Pub::shed agriculture symposium at the ASPP an­ control options to growers, according to nual meeting in Portland published by Roy L. Fuchs also of the company's Agri­ The National Institutes of Health The Oregonian August 1 reported on the cultural Croup," the story noted. (N~H) published revised guidelines urgent need for agricultural technologies "Glyphosate, the weed killer marketed which officially accept Appendices P such as biotechnology. under the name Roundup, normally has and Q that describe containment "Future consumers may feast on engi­ detrimental effects on soybeans as well as conditions for experiments with neered food. Plant scientists say enhanc­ on the pest plant~. When engineered with ~ecombinant DNA-containing plants, ing crops with genetic alterations is a vi­ the glyphosate-tolerant gene, however, the large animals, and microurganisms able option for feeding a burgeoning Roundup Ready soybeans thrive even associa ted with them. Appendix P has world population," explained the head­ when treated with the herbicide," the re­ the plant guidelines. The publication of line and subhead. 'Tood producers who port continued. these guidelines in the July 5,1994, already are struggling to combat plant William R. Hiatt's of Calgene Fresh, Inc., issue of the Federal Register (pages diseases, pests and the deterioration of explanation of how the new Flavr Savr 34472-34494) culminates efforts that farmlands face still another problem: more tomato is engineered to extend its shelf were begun by USDA in 1986. and more mouth~ to feed. The earth's life was reported. "The Food and Drug ~IH also promulgated new guide­ population is expected to double in the Administration says the Flavr Savr tomato lines that suggest containment levels for next 50 years. Feeding this swelling popu­ is as safe as any other tomato," the story different levels of potential ri sk. This is lation places an increasing demand on noted. useful to researchers and to Institu­ food producers, but some say biotechnol­ The newspaper also reported on the tional Bi osafety Committees charged ogy can provide solutions to these prob­ presentation of Rebecca Goldburg of the with setting these containment condi­ lems," the news story said. "And along i. ~ nvironmental Defense fund who argued tions under the 1986 guidelines and with it can come better-tasting and more that the proces~ of genetically engineer­ who have relied on unofficial draft nutritious foods." ing crops is fundamentally different from versions until now. These new guide­ "Many see biotechnology as the only breeding in the traditional ways. lines were also published July 5, 1994, practical way to face and solve the big This story on the ASPP symposium on in the Federal Register (pages 34496 to problems faci ng future generations," Rob­ transgenic plants, written by Susan An­ 34547). ert T. Fraley of the Monsanto Company's drew of The Oregonian staff, was picked Agricultural Group was quoted as say­ up by a news wire service. The Orego­ ing. nian also carried a brief report on the taxol "New varieties of soybeans, genetically and phytoremediation presentations at the engineered by Monsanto to tolerate her- ASPP annual meeting.

PL.ANT BIOTECHNOLOGY SOWS SEEDS FOR TASTIER, HEALTHIER FOODS

A comment letter by Russell L. Jones, ologists (ASPP) see that plant biotechnol­ tory that will help tomorrow's world gar­ ASPP president, published by The Wash­ ogy offers new opportunities to meet the den meet consumer demands." ington Times on July 11 responded to the world's future needs for food, fiber, and Special Report the newspaper carried June other products. ASPP members conduct­ Comment letters in response to articles 29 on genetically engineered foods. Fol­ ing research in plant biotechnology are in national and local newspapers and lowing is the comment letter which the bringing us better-tasting, more nutritious, magazines give the opportunity to more newspaper ran under the headline, "Plant and healthier foods and are E''1gineering fully explain or clarify an issue that was biotechnology sows seeds for tastier, hardier plants that can naturally resist covered in a news story. ASP? members healthier foods": pests and disease and survive harsh cli­ who read an article concerning the plant matic stress. This technology will also sciences that may need clarification are "Your June 29 Special Report on geneti­ bring us plants that will clean up toxic asked to inform ASPP headquarters about cally engineered foods provided an infor­ environmental hazards in the soil. It the article soon after publication for re­ mative report on the Flavr Savr tomato would be a disservice to the public if view by the Committee on Public Affairs and other foods developed through bio­ unsubstantiated and unfounded fears and ASPP leadership for potential sub­ techno logy. The articles also carried a were raised concerning plant biotechnol­ mis ~ i on of a response. More comment balance of supportive comments from ogy that might inhibit its development. letters are submitted to newspapers than industry and government spokespeople "Past generations have depended upon are printed but the potential for USE' is and critical comments from advocacy "sci­ advances in science and technology to higher with a prompt response. Please fax en ti s t" orgv niza tions. help meet the worlds needs for food and articles in question to ASPP public affairs "Plant scientists in science societies such fiber. Plant biotechnology is a more effec­ director Brian Hyps at 301-279-2996. as the American Society of Plant Physi- tive technological tool in today's labora- September/October 1994, Vol. 21, No.5 11 WHITE HOUSE RELEASES NATIONAL SCIENCE POLICY REPORT

Vice President Al Gore released the Administration's policy statement, "Science in the National Interest," at J White House ceremony on August 3, 1994. This report calls for an investment in science as a national priority and links scientific research and education to our national goals and to the future well-being of our country. The report identifies science as "an endless and sustainable resource with extraordinary dividends," and emphasizes that "our scientific strength is a treasure which we must sustain and build on for the future. " "Science in the National Interest" calls for a "strong commitment to investigator-initiated research and merit review by scientific peers." The theme that permeates the document is that pushing back the frontiers of knowl­ Members of the executive c ommittee ponder a point at their meeting in Portland. From edge will produce unantiCipated the left. Stan Roux . chair of the publications committee; Jim Siedow. president-elec t; benefits. The policy presented in this Don Ort. secretary; Brian Hyps. ASPP public affairs director. report stresses the need to tap scientific talent from every part of our diverse pupulation as well as the need to raise the scientific literacy of all Americans. The document proposes a series of actions to meet five broad goals for world leadership in science, mathemat­ ics and engineering: • Maintain leadership across the frontiers vf scientific knowledge. , Enhance connections between fundamental research and national goals. • Stimulate government, industry, and academic partnerships that promote investment in fundamental science and engineering and effective use of physical, human, and financial resources. • Produce the finest scientists and engineers for the twenty-first century. • Raise the scientific and technology literacy of all Americans. The 31-page policy document, as issued by President Clinton's National Science and Technology Council , is available online through the Science C·et Your T-Sh irts Here! and Technology Information System at NSF. Gopher to stis.nsf.gov and look in Did you go i'o the onnual meeting and forget to buy a t-shirt? Did you not go the a nnual /nsf/news; file name is whrpt941. To meeting but wa nt to fool your friends into thinking you went? Either way. we have the obtain the document by ftp, ftp to solution: buy one now. We returned to headquarters with some unsold shi rts (mostly large stis.nsf.gov; the fi le is science. txt in the and extra large) that we would love to sell to yo u. They arc heavyweight 100"10 preshrunk / pub directory. cotton. with a colorful (reds. blues. and purples) representation of the Portland skyline against Mount Hood. designed by t-shin maven extraordinaire Dave Longstre th. The cost? Only S12 . Contact membership coordinator Shalo n Kelly to find oU'i' how to Older. 12 ASPP Newsletter

Letter to the Membership could be automatically distributed to FELLOWSHIPS AND TRAINEESHIPS members who had registered an interest in receiving such material. Members who attended the ASPP Student and postdoc groups could NSF GRADUATE RESEARCH annual meeting in Portland may have focus on career questions. Many young TRAINEESHIPS IN PLANT BIOLOGY noticed some positive developments. scientists have to decide at various There were more postdocs than ever points of their careers whether to NSF Graduate Research Traineeships chairing sessions, and more children continue with science or to change are available in the Department of attending with their parents. While it direction. When facing this decision, Botany and Plant Sciences of the can't have been too exciting for the most of us have little to go on but our University of California, Riverside, to kids, it was great to see their parents at own immediate experience. As a group, study the regulation of plant growth the meeting, just as it was great to see we may be able to collect more infor­ and development. Signals that control so many younger faces introducing mation and experience. plant growth and development at the their colleagues. I welcome both of Although careers, or the lack thereof, cellular, molecular and whole plant these changes because they suggest that are a major issue, a myriad of other level will be studied by the trainees. ASPP is increasingly interested in the problems face young scientists and Pariticpating researchers include views and interests of young scientists. need to be addressed. Amongst these Elizabeth A. Bray: plant hormones, My purpose in writing this letter is to are the standards of high school and especially abscisic acid; Julia Bailey­ try to generate some interest in the idea undergraduate science teaching, Serres: regulation of mRNA translation; of forming postdoc and student groups burnout, rampant bureaucracy, absurd Timothy J. Close: environmental stress; within the ASPP so that we can both pressures on faculty, poor postdoc Anthony H. C. Huang: cell biology of share information and also put our conditions, and rising conservatism. seeds; Elizabeth M. Lord: developmen­ views forward more effectively. I am These are problems for young scientists tal biology; Eugene M. Nothnagel: interested in getting feedback on a because we are and will be the ones arabinogalactan proteins; and Linda L. number of ideas that I will outline most directly affected. It makes sense, Walling: aminopeptidases and plant below, but I am hoping that people therefore, that we should be the ones to development. This program is also might also volunteer to help get things be doing most about it. If we represent designed to promote student diversity going. our views forcefully and articulately, in plant biology leading to an increased One of my initial objectives is to we may be able to generate change. number of Ph.D. scientists from arrange special functions for students The mood for reform and a concern currently underrepresented ethnic and postdocs at our meetings. Just as for young scientists is not limited to the groups. Minorities are encouraged to there is a lunch for women in plant ASPP. Various organizations have apply. Only U.s. citizens or permanent physiology, we could also have a begun to realize that they have been residents are eligible for the "postdoc dinner" to which everyone expecting too much while giving too traineeships. For more information, would be welcome but for which the little to students and postdocs. An please contact Dr. Elizabeth A. Bray, theme would be issues for postdocs. editorial in Nature (28 July, 1994) called Department of Botany and Plant We could invite speakers to discuss for "a more civilised way of dealing Sciences, University of California, subjects as diverse as "opportunities with the careers of the non-commis­ Riverside, CA 92521; telephone 909-787- outside science" to "writing your first sioned officers of research [postdocs]" 4548, fax 909-787-4437, e-mail grant." By getting postdocs together following a massive drop in NIH grants bra [email protected]. from all over the country (and world), to "young scientists." This sort of talk we would have a great opportunity to signals a justifiable concern for the A New Training Program discuss prospects and reforms as well future supply of scientific talent. With Maize: Bridging Basic Biology and as to share experiences and make useful groups like the NIH sounding repen­ Biotechnology contacts. Grad students may be inter­ tant and the economy growing at a ested to share opinions on "negotiating healthy rate, we have perhaps one of The DOE/NSF/ USDA Joint Program a postdoc" or "theses without pain." the best opportunities ever to improve on Collaborative Research in Plant Biol­ This would also be an excellent oppor­ the terms and conditions for younger ogy is sponsoring a new training grant at tunity to hear about the concerns of scientists. I hope we can get organized the University of Missouri-Columbia en­ students and to find out if our society in time to make the most of it. titled Maize: Bridging Basic Biology and can improve its service to student Michael Burnet Biotechnology. The purpose of our pro­ members. Postdoctoral Associate gram is to provide graduate students and Other potentially useful ideas inClude University of Montreal postdoctoral associates with a comprehen­ the establishment of a gopher hole (or bu [email protected] sive and multidisciplinary education in bulletin board) for ASPP postdocs or maize biology, covering genome organi­ grad students for posting job announce­ zation, gene expression, signal transduc­ ments, for example. Similarly, feedback, tion, hormone action, organelle biology, news, and opinions could be more disease resistance, and crop plant produc­ easily circulated than through the mail. tivity. Thirteen faculty members from four We could also try to develop e-mailing different units-Division of Biological Sci- lists so that job ads and other notices continued on page 13 SeptemberlOctober 1994, Vol. 21, No.5 13 continued from poge 12 DEADLINES APPROACH FOR TWO CDA, 703-306-1980, e-mail [email protected] ences, Agronomy/Plant Sciences Unit, NSF POSTDOCTORAL PROGRAMS (ES associates). Biochemistry, and the USDA/ ARS-are involved in developing the collaborative November Deadlines for interactions that are the basis of this in­ CISE Programs December Deadline for Bioscience terdisciplinary training program. Our The Computer and Information Science Postdoctoral Fellowships overall goal is to attract top individuals and Engineering (CISE) Directorate of the NSF announces a program entitled Post­ to research in maize biology and to edu­ National Science Foundation plans a lim­ doctoral Research Fellowships in Bio­ cate them to be leaders in collaborative ited number of grants for support of post­ sciences Related to the Environment. research. Positions are available for both doctoral research associateships contin­ Approximately 40 fellowships, each worth graduate students and post-doctoral fel­ gent upon available funding. The associ­ a total of $40,000 per year, will be awarded lows on a competitive basis. For fa111995, ates are of two types: in the spring of 1995 to begin between we are seeking to fill 4-6 graduate • Associateships in Computational Sci­ July 1995 and January 1996. The fellow­ traineeships with high quality applicants. ence and Engineering (CS&E associates) ships will normally be for two years, For more information, please contact: Dr. supported by the New Technologies Pro­ unless foreign tenure is requested or the Kathleen Newton, Division of Biological gram in the Division of Advanced Scien­ nature of the research project requires Sciences, Tucker Hall, University of Mis­ tific Computing (DASC) in cooperation more time. Eligibility is limited to US. souri-Columbia, Columbia MO 65211; fax with other NSF CS&E disciplines. The citizens or nationals and lawfully admit­ 314-882-0123, e-mail [email protected]. objective of these associateship awards is ted permanent resident aliens who earned missouri. edu. to increase expertise in the development the doctorate after December 2, 1991, or of innovative methods and software for will earn the degree by June 15, 1995. applying high performance, scalable par­ Applicants must propose research into National Needs Fellowships in allel computing systems in solving large the fundamental mechanisms underlying Molecular Crop Protection scale CS&E problems. the interactions between organisms and • Associateships in Experimental Science their environment at the molecular, cellu­ Graduate fellowships are available at (ES associates) supported by the Office of lar, organismal, population, community, North Carolina State University for re­ Cross Disciplinary Activities (CDA). The and/ or ecosystem level. The research plan search leading to a Ph.D. degree in botany, objective of the ES associateship awards cannot be a duplicate of a research pro­ entomology, genetics, or plant pathology is to increase expertise in CISE experimen­ posal or other fellowship application to will be awarded to highly qualified ap­ tal science by providing opportunities for NSF. Applicants may not be principal plicants interested in the utilization of bio­ associates to work in established labora­ investigators on other Federal grants and, technology approaches for protection of tories performing experimental research if seeking support for an ongoing project, crop plants against pathogens and pests. in one or more of the research areas sup­ may not have been involved in the re­ Research areas may include: (1) identifi­ ported by the CISE Directorate. These search for more than one year at the time cation and characterization of genes from awards provide opportunities for recent of application. plants, insects, and microorganisms, (2) Ph.D.s to broaden their knowledge and The deadline to apply for the 1995 fel­ development and analysis of transgenic experience and to prepare them for sig­ lowships is December 2,1994. NSF's post­ plants, and (3) the ecological consequences nificant research careers on the frontiers doctoral research fellowships in plant bi­ of transgene deployment. Graduate fel­ of contemporary computational science ology have been discontinued. Potential lowships will ca rry a stipend of $17,500 a and engineering and experimental science. applicants who have requested the appli­ year and are limited to US. citizens and Associateship awards will be based on cation materials for the plant biology fel­ permanent residents. Applications should proposals submitted by the sponsoring lowships will be sent the new program be received by February 15, 1995. For in­ institution. Deadline for applications for announcement, NSF 94-114, for Postdoc­ formation and application forms contact these programs is November 1, 1994. For toral Research Fellowships in Biosciences Dr. Charles H. Opperman, Departmen t of more information on NSF 94-104, contact Related to the Environment. Additional Plant Pathology, North Carolina State New Techonologies Program Director, information and applications are available University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7616; tele­ DASC, 703-306-1970 or [email protected] from Carter Kimsey at [email protected] phone 919-515-61199, fa x 919-515-7716. (CS&E associates) or Program Director, or 703-306-1469. Coming in the November/December issue of the ASPP Newsletter

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS FOR THE 1995 ASPP ANNUAL MEETING

Deadline for abstracts will be February 28, 1995. 14 ASPP Newsletter ASPPAWARDS

Six awards were presented at the 1994 Annual Meeting in Portland. Reprinted on the next three pages are the c itations that were read by President Russell Jones at the awards ceremony that was held Sunday, July 31, 1994. Four of the honored individuals attended the ceremony; the two winners of corresponding membership, Hiroh Shibaoka and Nobutaka Takahashi, were unable to be there.

Charles Reid Barnes Life Members hip Award: A. Carl Leopold

The Barnes Award, the oldest ASPP award, was es­ tablished in 1925 at the first a!lnual meeting of the Society through the generosity of Dr. Charles A. Shull and in honor of Dr. Charles Reid Barnes, the first professor of plant physiology at the University of Chicago. It is an annual award of life member­ ship in the Society given to recognize the awardee for meritorious work in plant physiology.

Pictured with ASPP President Russell Jones 01 0 ASPP's199~ award winners and Ilya Raskin . Dr. A. Carl Leopold is the 1 Q94 recipi­ 1993 winner of the Charles Albert Shull Award. who \ /as the featured speaker at the 1994 ent of the Charles Reid Barnes Life Mem­ Awards Ceremony in Portland. Oregon. From 10ft, JonG:s; Richard E. McCarty. Kettering bership Award. We are grateful for the Award; Chodes J. Arntzen. Hoagland Awa,d; Raskin; Winslow R. Briggs. Stephen Hales chance to honor such an outstanding per­ Prize ; and A. Carl Leopold. Barnes Life Membership. Not pictured: Hiroh Shibaoka and son who embodies so co mpletely the spirit Nobutaka Takahashi. who were named correspo,lding members. of thi ~ award. His career has been devoted to understanding every aspect of plant on hormone receptors in plants. From his to show our reliance on experiments in growth and development, described in studies of gravitropism has come a new forming generalizations in science, he has lucid terms with an enthusiasm that in­ theory of gravireception, and his investi­ explained well that science is an evolving fects everyone and has persuaded many gations of seed dormancy have led to an complex of imperfect generaliza tions de­ to join the work. lIe has made nutewor­ important theory of membrane stabiliza­ rived by the scimtific method, and he has thy research contributions in many areas tion during desicca tion involving the helped admirubly to reorganize his sub­ of plant physiology including flowering, grassy state of sugars. ject to make it mo re nearly representative apical dominance, fruit set, photoperio­ Throughout this time, Carl has devoted of modern plant phy:;iology in the bbo­ dism, phytochrome action, hormone ac­ himself to education by writing te xtbooks ratory and field. To this should be added tion dormancy, germina tion, stomata I of immense popularity that have served that we have had em uncommonly clear regulation, membrane permeability, res­ to inspire students of gruwth and devel­ glimpse of how plants function through pira tio n, wounding, water relations, and opment as well as other writers uE text­ his work. for the hundreds of scientists leaf energy dissipation described in nearly books. He has given numerous invita­ you ha v~ helped encouraged and edu­ 300 publica tions. Particularly noteworthy tiona I lectures, served as an officer in sev­ celted, Carl, we are enriched by your ef­ were the early demonstrations with his eral societies, and is a past present of forts and take this opportunity to thank colleagues that senescence plays a posi­ ASPP. In addition, he has spoken elo­ you. tive role in the plant and is regulated by quently for science and science policy to cytokinin, that polar transport of auxin the Congress and to the public through involved influx and efflux from cells prob­ his writings and public presentations, dnd stephen Hales Prize: ably under the control of an auxin trans­ has devoted a considerable amount of his Winslow R. Briggs port protein in the plasmalemma, and that energy to preserving and restoring our abscission WdS determinecl not only by environmental heritage. This award honors the Reverend Stephen Hales fo r auxin concentration but also by the sensi­ P~rhaps we mily par<1phrasC' the goals his pionee .. ing work in plant physiology published tivity of the tissue to the hormone, which he set for himself in his first book by say­ in his 1727 book Vegetable Stnticks. This award was together formed some uf the first work ing that indeed he has helped immensely continued on poge 15 September/October 1994, VoL 21, No.5 15 continued from poge 14 Plant Molecular Biology for 33 years (the understanding or the photosynthetic pro­ established in 1927 for a resident of North America, last 21 as editor), he has subtly shaped cess. whether or not a member of the Society, who has our field while skillfully editing our prose. A second trailblazing innovation was served the science of plant physiology in some note­ He was president of our Society in 1975- the identification of the protein that binds worthy manner. The award is made biennially, and 1976 and of the American Institute of Bio­ photosynthetic herbicides and the' excit­ the recipient is invited to address the Society on a subject in plant physiology at the next annual meet­ logical Sciences in 1981. His contributions ing discovery that herbicide resistance can ing. and accomplishments have earned him evolve in the field through the modifica­ many awards and honors including elec­ tion of a single residue in this protein. The Step hen Hales Prize for 1994 is tion to the National Academy of Sciences These invaluable insights laid the ground­ awarded to Winslow R. Briggs for serv­ (1974), the America n Academy of Arts and work for an extensive investigation of the ing the science of plant physiology in three Sciences (1975), and the Deutsche molecular bClsis of atrazine resistance in major ways: as a teacher and mentor of Akademie de Naturforscher Leopoldina plants. Arnt7.en and his associates devel­ plant scientists at different levels of their (1984). oped the concept that triazine herbicides careers-undergrad ua te, grad ua te, and (and other inhibitors of photosynthetic postdoctoral scholars; as an investigator electron transport) occupy a discrete bind­ who has enlarged our understanding of Dennis Robert Hocgland Aword: ing site in a plastoquinone protein and how light interacts with internal metabolic that mutations in this protein selectively Charles J . Arntzen and hormonal controls of plants to affect block herbicide binding without causing their growth and development; as a se­ loss of physiological function. These find­ nior spokesperson for plant physiology This award, established by the Society in 1985 with ings provided the conceptual basis for the and plant biology in general. funds provided by the Monsanto Agricultural Prod­ ucts Company, honors Dr. \Jennis Robert Hoagland, subsequent development of herbicidE' re­ Early in his career, Dr. Briggs and his recipient of the first Ha;es award, for his outstand­ sistant crops. students focused their attention on the ing contributions and leadership in plant mineral Dr. Arntzen's remarkable elucidation of phenomenon of phototropism. Initially, nutr;tion. The award, to be made not more than tri­ photosystem 1! proteins led him and his ennially, is for outstanding plant physiological this study involved careful determination investigations in ",oport of agriculture. associates to exciting progress in identi­ of fluence-response curves in order to fying the mechanism of photoinhibition. describe the phenomenon in sound bio­ Charles J. Arntzen is awarded the Den­ This mechanism was shown to be via the physic.:!l terms. His work branched out nis Robert Hoagland Award for his re­ destruction of a specific membrane into photobiological investigations of a markable leadership and innovative re­ polypeptide, the 01 protein, a discovery wide range of physiological responses of search in the field of photosynthesis, for tha t was an essential first step in devel­ plants to light of different wavelengths, his elucidation of the molecular basis of oping crop rE'sistance to photoinhibition. including solar tracking, circadian resistance to the triazine herbicides, a dis­ Dr. Arntzen's extraordinary career as a rhythms, and a variety of pheno mena covery which anticipated the genetic en­ research scientist is matched by his ac­ under the general heading of photomor­ gineering of herbicide-resistant plants, and complishments as a visionary motivator phogenesis. His work in this area and on for his achievements as a highly creative of scientists and institutions, both aca­ the mov('ment of auxin in responst' to builder of scientific institutions. demic and corporate. He helped to accel­ iight is classic textbook fare. La ter, he and Arntzen and his collaborators made erate the growth of plant science programs his students worked on the isolation of three critical contributions to our under­ at the MSC-DOE Plant Research Labora­ phytochrome, investigated the relation standing of photosynthesis, a central com­ tory, Michigan State Gniversity,i he between its forms and the physiology of ponent of plant productivity. [he focus DuPont Company, the 1 exas A&M Gni­ developmental respon"e, and c;arefully of one study was on correlating structural versity system and, most recently, at the mapped its distribution in plants by im­ parameters with biophysical measure­ Plant Biotechnology Program of thE' Insti­ munocytochemical techniques. In more ments of chloroplast membranes. l'hese tute of Biosciences and 'j echnology, fexas recent years, he has studied the difficult investigations were instrumental in iden­ Medical Center in Houston by champion­ subject of blue light perception and is ti fying photosystem II complexes and ing new ideas

November 13-16 Third International Symposium FUTURE ASPP ANNUAL MEETING SITES Bi osafety Results of Field Tests of Genetically Modified 1995: Charlotte, North Carolina Plants and Microorganisms Monterey, Caiif'Jrnia Saturday, July 29 through Contact: Alvin Young, USDA, Office of Wednesday, August 2 Ag ricultural Biotechnology, telephone 703- 235-4419, fa x 703-235-4429.

1996: San Antonio, Texas 1995 Saturday, July 27 through Wednesday, July 31 JANUARY

1997: Vancouver, British Columbia January 7-13, 1995 Keystone Symposium Saturday, August 2 through Plant Cell Biology: Mechanisms, Molecular Wednesday, August 6 Machinery, Signals, all\ d Pathways Taos, New Mexico Orga nizers of this meeting are Natasha Raikhel and Christopher Lamb. Key note oaOBER NOVEMBER address: Phytochrome Phototransduction Pathways: Genetic and Biochemical Dissec­ October 20-22 ovember 1-4 tion, N.-H. Chua. Keynote lecture: Genetic 10th Annual ~ee ting Cucurbitaceae 94: Evaluation and and Biochemicdl Dissection of the Secretory American Society fo r G ravitational and Enhance ment of Cucurbit Gennplasm Pathway, R. Schekman. Sessions and Space Biology South Padre Island, Texas presenters: Cell Surface/Extracellular Matrix: San Francisco, California The Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, R. Quatrano, J. Nasrallah, T.-H. Kao, C. This conference provides a forum for Texas Agricultural Extension Service, and Lamb; Cell Adhesion, Cytoskeletun, and the presentation and rxchange of gravitational USDA/ ARS Subtropica l Research Laboratory Recognition Process: J. Nasrallah, R. and spac~ biological information and data will host Cucurbitaceae 94 at the Radisson Quatrano, S. Long, K. Roberts; Plasmodes­ from scholarl y and applied research. The Resort, South Padre Island, Texas. The mata and Nuclear Pores: K. Roberts, N. program consists of oral and poster scientific purpose of this meeting is to provide a Ra ikhel, S. La zarow itz, J. Carrington; Cell s('ssions, symposia, and workshops. Topics forum fo r the presentation of current Division: C. Lamb, P. Doerner, T. Bisseling, include: ce llular signalling and molecu lar scientific information about germplasm V. Sundaresan; Membrane Signaling: M. regulation of graviresponses; radiation and evaluation and research activities in cucurbit Chrispeels, J. Schroeder, S. Assmann, P. space; spaceflight experiment results; crops. The scientific program will consist of Hepler, M. Sussman; The Tonopla st and controlled ecological life support systems; posters, in vited talks, and panel discussions Plasma Membrane: ). Schroeder, W. plant gravity perception; plant growth, on diseases, host-pathogen interactions, and Frommer, M. Chrispeels, H. Sze; The ER: N. development, and genetics; calcium role in genetics related to the enhancement of Raikhel, A. Vitale, ). Denecke, G. Galili, C. ceil processes; cell biology; biotechnology / cucurbit germrlasm. Molecular and genetic Somerville; Plastids: ). Chory, A. Staehelin, in strumentatio n; animal structural systems/ aspects of diseases, germplasm resources, K. Keegstra, K. Cline; Cytoplasmic Regula­ muscle physiology; animal gravity sensing breeding strategies, and the physiology of tory Mechanisms: J. Ecker, P. Green, M. and neurophysiology; and animal growth, fruit quality are a few of th e topic; that will Mehdy, C. Coruzzi; Signaling to the development, and genetics. For further be covered in the lSI\}4 meeting. To receive Nucleus: P. Green, J. Chory, ). Ecker, A. information contact: Donald R. Beem, additional information on program content Theologis, R. Di xon. Workshops: Transport American Institute for Biological SciencE's, and registration material, contact Dr. Jamps Vesicle: Inside and Outside: D. P. Verma; Special Science Programs, 730 11th St reet R. Dunlap, Texas Agricultural Experiment Heat Shock Proteins and Molecular Chaper­ NW, Washington, DC 20001, te lephone 202- Station, 2415 East Highway 83, Wpslaco TX ones: E. Vierling. Application and abstract 628-1500. 78596; telephone 210-968-5585; fax 210-968- deadline is September 7, 1994. Attendance is 064 1, e-mail [email protected]. limited to 300. A small amount of funding is available to some students and postdocs to help defray th e cost of the meeting. The selection of students and postdocs for this support will be based on the quality and relevance of science presented in the abstracts. For more information contact 18 ASPP Newsletter

Keystone Symposia, Drawer 1630, copy of your curriculum vitae to: Mike March 22-23, 1995 Silverthorne, CO 80498; telephune 303-262- Thomashow, Department of Crop and Soil Royal Society Disc ussion Meeting 1230, fax 303-262-1525. Sciences, Michigan State University, East Control of Development in Higher Plants LanSing, MI 48824. For information regard­ London, England January 15-19, 1995 ing conference program contact: Mike Organized by P. R. Bell, C J. Leaver, and R. Plant Genome III fhomashow, e-mail, [email protected]; fax 1. Pennell. This meeting will cover all aspects San Diego, California 517-353-5~74. For application forms and of plant development from the regulation of The International Plant Genome Conference other meeting information contact: Dr. gene expression by environmentdl factors, will be sponsored by the USDA/ ARS and Carlyle B. Storm, Director, Gurdon Research signal transduction, cell development to the National Agricultural Library, the John Innes Conferences, University of Rhode Island, generation of plant form. Speakers will Centre (UK), thp Rockefeller Foundation, and P.O. Box 984, West Kingston, RT 02892-0984; include, Chua, Chory, Knight, Ecker, the International Society for Plant Molecular telephone 401-783-4011; fax 401-783-7644. Jurgens, Sussex, Pennell, Coupland, Coen, Biology. Session topics are: chromosome Hake, Goldberg, Langdale, Franssen, and structure, isolation and transformation of Roberts. For further information contact: agriculturally important genes, instrumenta­ FEBRUARY Mary Manning, The Royal Society, 6 Ca rlton tion/technulogy, comparative genetic House Terrace, London, SWlY SAG, UK; mapping, QTLs/metabolic pathways. Co­ February 5-10, 1995 telephone 171 839 5561. fax 171 9302170. chaIrs are S. Heller, J. Miksche, M. Gale, S. Gordon Research Con fe rence McCouch. Por registration materials, poster ChemicaUBiological Synergies 10 Reduce March 26-31, 1995 abstract applicatiun, and exhibit information, Inputs for Pest Control 5th International contact: Plant Genome Ill, c/o Scherago Oxnard, California Botan ical Microscopy Meeting International, Inc., 11 Penn Plaza, New York, The meeting will focus on rationally Plant Cell Biology NY 10001; telephone 212-643-1750, fax 212- designed mixtures and strategies using Oxford Brookes Un iversity 643-1758, e-mail [email protected]. biological and chemical mechanisms to Oxford, England synergistically lower inputs in weed, disease, The program of this meeting will include: January 22-27, 1995 and insect pest management; and to discuss microtubule and cytoskeletal dynamics, 46th Congresso Nacional de Bo tanica Brazil the For registration information set' October micruscupv uf living cells and ion imaging, Ribeirao Pre to, SP, Brasil issue of Science or contact either of the plant cell organization, molecular mecha­ The annual meeting on botany, a major following co-chairs (preferably bye-mail): nIsms of plant development, plant microbe forum promoted by the Botany Society of jonathan Gressel, Plant GenPtics, Weizmann interactions. Keynote speakers: B. Gunning, Brazil for an exchange of information among Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100 Israel, H. Shibaoka, J. Hush, S. Gilroy, K. Oparka, plant scientists, will be held on the campus fax 972-8-469124, e-mail K. Roberts, M. Parthasarathy, 7. Cande, J. of the University of Sao Paulo in Ribeirao [email protected]; David A. Doonan, R. Huward, A. Hardham. Atten­ Preto. The program includes scientific Fischhoff, Monsanto Company, 700 Chester­ dance will be limited to 150. [:or iurther expeditions, poster sessions, workshops, field Parkway, North St. Louis, MO 63198, infurmatiun, contact Karen Hale, Royal symposia, lectures, thp 2nd Symposium on USA; fax 314-537-6047, e-mail Microscopical Society, 37/38 St. ( 'Iements, Gallery Forest, and the 4th Symposium on [email protected]. (lxford, OX4 1AJ; telephone 44 -865-248768, Bromeliaceae. For information write to: XLVI fax 44-865-791237. Congresso Nacional de Botanica, Dep. Biologia/FFCLRP / USP, Av. Bandeirantes, MARCH March 26-April 1, 1995 3900, 14040-901-Ribeirao Preto, Brasil; fax 16- Keystone Symposia, Con current Meetings 633-5015. March 5-9, 1995 • Frontiers of Plant Morphogenesis XVIII Eucarpia Symposium: • Signal T ransd uction in Plants January 29-February 3, 1995 Section O rnamentals Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Gordon Research Conference Ornamental Plant Improvement: Organizers of Frontiers of Plant Morphogen­ Temperature Stresses in Plants Classical and! Molecular Approaches esis are Richard J. Cyr and Barry A. Palevitz. Oxnard, California Tel Aviv, Israel Organizers of Signal Transduction in Plants Meeting organizers: Mike Thomashow, chair; This meeting is organized jointly with the are Daniel F. Klessig and Winslow Briggs. Don Ort, vice-chair. Session topics and Kennedy-Leigh Centre for Horticultural Topics and speakers for Frontiers of Plant chairs/speakers will include: mechanisms of Res earch of The Hebrew University of Morphogenesis: Current perspectives in sensing temperature (R. Dhindsa/W. Gurley, jerusalem. Topics will include: breedLng of plant morphogeneSiS-I. Sussex, W. Briggs; T. Paiva, B. Pickard); role of membranes in ornamental crops; genetic manipulation of Cytoskeleton and morphogenesis-J. Traas, temperature stress tolerance (J. Crowe/ N. ornamental crops; molecular markers for the D. Menzel, P. Benfey; Mitosis and division Murata, J. Browse, P. Steponkus); heat-stress identification and breeding of ornamentals; planes-K. Dawes, W. Sheridan, P. Hepler, proteins (E. Vierling/ A. Gatenby, j. Jordano); genetic resources for widening the assort­ L. Smith; Cell cycle (joint)- M. Van links behveen temperature and drought ment of ornamental crops; environmentally Montagu, T. Bisseling; Extracellular matrix strpss (C Vertucci/K. Shinozaki, T. Close, C friendly ornamentals; molecular control of and morphogenesis-K. Roberts, A. Staehlin, Lijenberg); Dreeding for temperature stress flow er development; genetics of flower D. Cosgrove, R. Williamson; Genetic analysis tolerance 0. Greaves/ J. Palta, H. Nguyen); longevity; tissue culture for ornamental of morphogenesis-J. Schiefelbein, R. S. effects of temperature on photosynthesis (D. breeding. Abstract deadline: November 1, Poethig, J. Medford, F. Sack; Cytoplasmic/ Ort/ F. Robertson, I. Davison); life at extreme 1994. Registration deadline: December 30, c ' ll wall communications in morphogen­ temperatures (G. Zeikus); and whole plant 1994. For further information, contact: Dan ' sis-R. Wayne, R. Quatrano, M. Hahn, N. responses to temperature: stress (J. Burke). Knassim Ltd" P. O. Box 57005, Tel Aviv, Carpita; Cell-cell communication (j oint)-J. Funds will be available to help defray 61570 Israel; telephone 972-3-5626470, fax Nasrallah, . i3rewin, W. Lucas; Signal meeting costs for a limited number of 972-3-5612303. transduction and morphogeneSis-A. promising young scientists (senior graduate Harmon, M. Wada, S. Lon.g. Topics and students, postdocs, and equival€'nt). -;'0 be speakers for Signal Transduction in Plants: considered for an award, which will be Hormonal signaling- R. Quatrano, J. Ecker, made on the basis of merit and need, send a E. Meyerowitz, A. Jones, M. Estelle, R. September/October 1994, Vol. 21, No.5 19

Hedrich; Signaling in plant-pathogen MAY information, contact: Prof. 1. Tikhonovich, interactions-D. Klessig, J. Ryals, J. Ebel, D. Congress Organizer, Research Institute for Scheel, F. Ausubel, P. De Wit, L. Walling, C. May 8-13, 1995 Agricultural Microbiology, P. B. 364, General Lamb; Signaling by light-W. Briggs, A. First International Symposium of Post Office, 190000, St. Petersburg, russia; fax Cashmore, J. Chory, P. Quail, X. Deng, E. Sucrose Metabolism 812-470-43-62, e-mail [email protected]. Schafer, N. Chua; Stress signaling-C. Ryan, Mar del Plata, Argentina D. Bowles, E. Farmer, N . Raikhel, J. Huber. This meeting will commemorate the 40th Contact Keystone Symposia, Drawer 1630, anniversary of the discovery of the two JUNE Silverthorne, CO 80498; telephone 303-262- sucrose metabolizing enzymes and honor the 1230, fax 3093-262-1525. memory of their discoverers, Drs. Luis Leloir June 26-30, 1995 and Carlos Cardini. The aim of the meeting International Workshop is to present a comprehensive and integrated Peroxidase Biotechnology and Application APRIL view of sucrose metabolism under the Puschjno (Moscow Region), Russia foHowing main topics: sucrose biosynthesis The scientific program of this workshop will April 3-6, 1995 and its regulation; sucrose cleavage and its include these topics: novel peroxidase International Symposium on Weed and regulation; molecular biology of sucrose sources; gene cluning, expression, and Crop Resistance to Herbicides metabolizing enzymes; sucrose conversion to protein engineering; peroxidase substrate University of C6rdoba, Spain starch; sucrose conversion to fructans and specificity, stability, mechanism of action and This symposium will be jointly sponsored by raffinose-based polymers; sucrose transport inactivation; peroxidase in analysis, the European Weed Research Society and the (long distance and intracellular) and the role biosensors, environmental control; peroxi­ Spanish Weed Science SOCiety. General of sucrose in plant stress. The symposium dase in industry, production of drugs, topics: herbicide target sites and resistance will consist of si x to eight sessions of fo ur to phenoliC resins, li gnin biodegradation. To mechanisms associated with them; resistance five speakers each with discussion session receive the second circular, a program, and mechanisms associated with herbicide and evening poster presentations. Those registration forms, contact Dr. I. G. metabolization and detoxification; other interested in receiv ing additional information Gazaryan, Division of Chemical Enzymology, rE'sistance mechanisms; biotechnological in the future please contact: Dr. Horacio Department of Chemistry, Moscow State approaches to develop herbicide resistance in Ponti s or Dr. Graciela Sa lerno, Fundacion UniverSity, 119899 GSP Moscow, Russia; fax crops-problems and possibilities; int(2grated para Investigaciones Biologicas Aplicadas, 7-95-939-27-42. mechanica l, chemical, and biological Casilla de Correos 134R, 7600 Mar del Plata, methods for weed control-managing or Argentina, telephone' 54-23-74-8257, fax 54- avoiding resistance. Deadline for abstracts: 23-74-3357; or Dr. Ed Echeverria, Citrus JULY November 30, 1994. For further information, Research and Education Center, 700 contact Dr. J. Jorrin, Departamento de Experiment Station Road, Lake Al fred, FL July 2-7, 1995 Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular, 33850, USA, telephone 813-956-1151, fax 813- 7th International Symposium on Universidad de Cordoba, 14080 C6rdoba, 956-4631. Preharvest Sprouting in Cereals Spain; telephone 57-218439, fax 57-218563, e­ Abashiri, Hokkaido, Japan mail bfljonoj@l ucano.uco.es May 24-26, 1995 SpecifiC topics will include: Physiology and NABC7 molecular biology of grain development and April 7-1 2, 1995 Genes for the Future: germination; influence of environmental, Plant Mitochondria: From Gene to Function Discovery, Ownership>, Access physical and agronomic factors on sprouting; Durham, North Carolina Columbia, Missouri genetics and plant breeding; effects of This international meeting will cover topics Gene mapping, currently a central issue in sprouting damage on cereal end products. of plant mitochondrial molecular biology, agricultural biokchnology, wiLl be the theme To receive a firs t announcement contact: biochemistry, genetics, and physiology. The of the sevrnth annual meeting of the Secretariat, 7th International Symposium on meeting will foc us on the unique aspects of \Iational Agricultural Biotechnology Council Preharvest Sprouting in Cereals, Kitami plant mitochondria and their importance to (J\ABC). Plenary sessions with invited Agricultural Experiment Station, Kunneppu, plant functioning. Topics will include: ~' peai<.ers and workshops will address the Hokkaido 099-14, Japan; telephone 01:;7-47- mitochondrial genomes: structure, evolution discovery of genes, the ownership of genes, 21 46, fax 0157-47-2774 or M. K. Walker­ and plasticity; mitochondrial genes: editing and access to genes of species important to Simmons, USDA-ARS, 209 Johnson Hall, and regulation of expreS'ion; mitochondrial agriculture. Topics for discussion include the Washington State University, Pullman, WA biogenesiS; mitochondrial electron transfer: status of gene mapping; economic, legal, and 99164-6420; telephone 509-335-8696, fax 509- structure and function; photoresp iration: in c. titutional issues surrounding the' owner­ 335-8674, e-mail [email protected]. gem-ti c,; and biochemistry; rt'spiration in ship of genes; and public and private rights plant cclrbon balance, and environmental of access to genes. ThesE' topics will be July 4-7, 1995 regulation of plant mitochondrial function. considered in the context of research policy 9th International Rapeseed Congress I'articular attention will be paid to those as well as the national and international Cambridge, England areas that are pre'sently best positioned to agenda fo r agricultural biotechnology. For Since the last Congress in Saskatoon in 1991, interface molecular and biochemic.!l­ information, contact NABC, 1')9 Biotechnol­ interest in rapeseed has been aroused by physiological approaches to the study of ogy Building, Cornell UniverSity, Ithaca, NY awareness of the superior nutritional plant mitochondrial structure and function. 14853-2703. advantages of rape oil. There is also growing Organizers are Lee McIntosh and Jim recognition of outlets for industrial purposE's, Siedow. For further information, contact Jim May 28-June 3, 1995 for which the prrceived benign effect on the Siedow, DCMB-Botany, Box 91000, Duke lOth International Congress on environment is an added attraction. It is University, Durham, NC 27708-1000, USA; Nitrogen Fixation intended that the congress should cover telephone 919-613-8180, fax 919-613-8177, e­ SI. Petersburg, Russia these and other aspects of rapeseed produc­ mail [email protected]. Organizer of this meeting is Igor tion and utilization. Cambridge' is in d major Tikhonovich, and it will be held under (he rapeseed growing area and has a distin­ auspices of th Research Institute for guished background in agr;cultural research. Agricultural Microbiology. For more The first ,lOnouncement and ca ll for parers 20 ASPP Newsletter is currently being distributed. Copies are Additional information can be obtained by August 20-25, 1995 available from the secretary: Denis Kimber, contacting Gary Gardner, Department of 10th International Photosynthesis Congress 44 Church Street, Haslingfield, Cambridge, Horticultural Science, University of Minne­ Montpellier, France CB3 7)"E, England. sota, 305 Alderman Hall, SI. Paul, MN 55108, TopiCS: molecular organization of the USA, fax 612-624-3606, e-mail photosynthetic apparatus; photophysical and July 9-15, 1995 [email protected]. photochemical processes; mechanisms of European Symposiu m on energy conservation; regulation of carbon Photomorphogenesis in Plants July 29-August 2, 1995 metabolism and related enzymes; assimila­ Sitges, Barce lona, Spain American Society of Plant Physiologists tion of nitrogen, sulfur, and other elements; SpeCific topics will include: Blue-UV light Annual Meeting structure of membranes, organelles, cells, photoreception, phytochrome properties and Charlotte, North Carolina and tissues; genes and regulation of their phytochrome genes, photoregulation of gene Call for abstracts will be published in the expression; development of the photosyn­ expression, signal transduction in photomor­ November/December ASPP Newsletter. thetic apparatus; photosynthesis and phogenesis, photocontrol of plant growth, Abstract deadline is February 28, 1995. For evolution; stress and adaptation; photosyn­ photomorphogenesis in lower plants, more information, contact Susan Chambers, thesis in global environment; photosynthesis photomorphogenesis in natural conditions. Director of Finance and Administration, in agricultural production and forestry; Second announcement containing the final 15501 Monona Drive, Rockville, MD 20855- design and action of herbicides; chemical program and all details of registration and 2768; telephone 301-251-0560, ext. 11, fax models and artificial photosynthesis; accommodation wiJI be mailed in November 301-279-2996, e-mail biotechnology; photosynthesis and renewable 1994. Contact address: Dr. Carmen [email protected]. energy resources. A limited number of Bergareche, Departament de Biologia fellowships may be granted to some students Vegetal, Facultat de Biologia, Diagonal 645, and scientists encountering financial 08028 Barcelona, Spain; fax 34-3- 4112842, AUGUST difficulties. For further information, contact: telephone 34-3-4021464. Dr. Paul Mathis (Photosynthesis Congress), August 6-11, 1995 DBCM-SBE, CEA Saclay, Batiment 532, 91191 July 14-19, 1995 lOth International Wo rkshop on Gif-sur-Yvette CEDEX, France; fax 33-1-69- 15th International Conference on Plant Membrane Biology 08-87017. Plant Growth Substances Regensburg, Germany Minneapolis, Min nesota Meeting is intended to cover the following Sep tember 13-15, 1995 The scientific program wil.l cover all aspects topics: pumps, carriers, channels, long 14th Long Ashton of plant growth regulation. The proposed distance transport processes, and transd uc­ International Symposium: program will consists of plenary sessions, tion of chemical and electrical signals. Plant Roots-from Cells to Systems concurrent symposia with invited speakers, Second announcement containing the final Long Ashton Research Station posters, and workshops. Plenary sessions program and all details on registration and Bristol, England will cover subjects on: (1) signal transduc­ accommodation will be mailed in October Topics and speakers: Development and tion, (2) integration of growth processes, (3) 1994. To obtain the second announcement, morphology-B. Scheres, T. Rost, P. Barlow, hormonally regulated gene expression, and contact Widmar Tanner or Norbert Sauer, A. Tomos; Structure and function-L. (4) generation of fundamental knowledge Lehrstuhl fUr ZeUbiologie und Kochian, E. Stuedle, W. Lucas, K. Raschke; and applications using transgenic plants. Pflanzenphysiologie, Universitat Regensburg, Environmental interactions-R. Sharp, P. Twenty symposia are planned, each Universitatsstrasse 31, 93053 Regensburg, Stamp, A. Bengough, M. Jackson, N. consisting of three to five speakers, on topiCS Germany; fax 49-941-943-3352. Robinson; Molecular interactions with other including hormune biosynthesis, hormone organisms-Po Sijmons, C. Shaw, v. metabolism, tropisms, flowering, hormone August 13-17, 1995 Gianinazzi-Pearson, T. Bisseling, D. Chriqui. perception/ sensitivity, and interactions of Pnytochemical Society of North America Keynote lecturer: M. McCully. Contact H. M hormones with other signalling systems. Annual Meeting Anderson, Department of Agricultural Arrangements have been made to have all Sault Ste. M arie, Ontario, Canada Sciences, University of Bristol, Institute of posters on display throughout the meetings. The meeting will feature a symposium Arable Crops RE'search, Long Ashton Workshops will be designed to accommo­ entitled Phytochemical Redundancy in Research Station, Bristol, BS18 9AF, United date last-minute breakthroughs. The Ecological Interactions. The theme of the Kingdom; telephone 275-392181, fax 275- organizing committee for the lPGSA meeting symposium will stress the diversity, overlap, 394007. is chaired by Gary Gardner (University of and variety of plant chemical defenses Minnesota) and Bernard O. Phinney, against biological stresses including insects, president of IPGSA (University of California, fungi, and large herbivores. Speakers for the OCTOBER Los Angeles), and includes M. Brenner, R. symposium are being solicited from persons Coolbaugh, M. H. Goldsmith, W. Hackett, E. active in the area. Interested potential October 8-12, 1995 Jaworski, R. L. Jones, H. Kende, T. Lomax, speakers or persons with suggestions for Third International Symposium: N. Olszewski, l. Rubenstein, M. K. Walker­ speakers should contact either program co­ Cytochrome P4 50 Bi odiversity Simmons, and J. Zeevaart. All scientific chairperson for additional information: Dr. Woods Hole, Massachusetts sessions will be held at the headquarters James A. Saunders, Plant Sciences Institute, The symposium will be held at the Swope hotel, the Hyatt Regency, in Minneapolis. USDA, Bldg. 9, Rm 5, Beltsville, MD 20705, Conference Center of the Woods Hole This meeting will be held in conjunction telephone 301 504-7477, fax 301 504-6478; Dr. Marine Biological Laboratory. The scientific with the Annual Meeting of the Plant Pedro Barbosa, Department of Entomology, program will focus on cytochromes P450 Growth Regulator Society of America, and University of Maryland, College Park, MD from microorganisms, plants, and insects, joint sessions are being planned that 20742, telephone 301 405-3946 office, fax 301 and will include all aspects of research on emphasize applied aspects of plant growth 314-9290. P450s from these organisms. Contact: Dr. regulation. The first circular will be mailed John C. Loper, Department of Molecular this summer (1994). The second circular, Genetics, University of Cincinnati School of containing registration and abstract prepara­ Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0524, fax tion materials, will be sent in late 1994. 513-558-8474. September/October 1994, Vol. 21, No.5 21

Mark your calendars now for the 1995 ASPP Annual Meeting

Charlotte I North Carolina

Saturday, July 29, through Wednesday, August 2

Five major symposia are planned:

Issues in Plant Biology What Has the Impact of Plant Physiological Research Been on Crop Productivity? Organizer: James Cook, USDA/ ARS, Washington State University

Presidents Symposium Unraveling Unique Features of Plant Mitochondria Organizer: James N. Siedow, Duke University

Journal Editors / Symposium Long Distance Signaling in Whole Plants Organizers: Malcolm C. Drew, Texas A&M University and Robert E. Sharp, University of Missouri

Breakthrough Developments in Understanding Cellulose Biosynthesis and Structure Organizer: Malcolm Brown, University of Texas

General topic: Plant Pathology, title to be announced

Organizer: Shauna Somerville I Carnegie Institution of Washington September/October 1994, Vol. 21, No.5 31 for general maintenance and operation of the EMs and other laboratory equipment and will also conduct periodIC workshops designed to teach other employees the use of such equipment. Ma.intenance of greenhouse plant and disease culture will also be part of the duties. 1lle employee will be responsible for the general day-to-day operations of the laboratory and coordinate ordering and malntairung materials and supplies. An M.s. (or B.s. with equivalent postgraduate experience) in a relevant biology field, e.g., plant pathology, mycology, botany, cell biology, etc., will be required. Experience and / or trainll1g in LN!, TEM, and/or Sf7M, as well as with immunochemical techniques, protein purification and separation protocols, and with other general biochemical techniques (inclu ding molecular) normally found in a cell biology laboratory would be useful. Salary will be commensurate w ith experience and qualifICa tions. For more details, contact H. C !loch, Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell UniverSity, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, New York 14456; telephone 315-787-2332, fa x 315-787-2397; e­ mai I ha rvey [email protected].

Ann Umbach discusses her poster with Miguel Ribas-Carro.

Robert E Sharp, University of Missouri , tokes a moment to pose with his two-year old daughter, Nicole, at the opening night mixer at the annual meeting in Portland.

Ken Beam (center), ASPP's executive directoi, discusses Society concerns at the executive committee meeting in Portland with (left) Bernard RUbinstein, Northeast Section representative, and (right) Russell Jones, ASPP president.