1St Announcement
The 1st International Conference of Duckweed Research & Applications (ICDRA-2011)
——“Resources, Environment and Bio-energy”
We cordially invite you to attend the 1st International Conference of Duckweed Research & Applications (ICDRA-2011). Please review the following information carefully:
I. Summary
In the past two decades, internationally coordinated research efforts on model plants have enabled great leaps in our understanding of complex plant pathways. For example, the international efforts that resulted in producing the Arabidopsis and rice genome sequences have revolutionized the research in plant science as well as helping to pave the way to producing the genome sequences of several terrestrial crops and trees. However, relatively little advance has been made on the characterization of aquatic plant species. Our goal is to develop an aquatic plant model system with attributes comparable to those of Arabidopsis such as rapid growth rate, high fecundity and ease of culture. It is in this light that we would like to request support to rejuvenate global research of duckweeds (plants of the Lemnaceae family) and to establish future workshops in which participants will be able to critically review the biological and genetic properties of duckweeds and assess their usefulness in research on plant biology, aquatic biology, biomass/biofuel production, metabolic engineering and bioremediation. As the most rapidly growing flowering plant in the world that has the potential to couple wastewater remediation to biomass production globally, we believe the duckweeds will play an indispensable role in solving some of the most urgent problems in our society in the coming decades.
II. Sponsor and Organizer
Sponsoring Institutions:
· Chengdu Institute of Biology (CIB), the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
· School of Environmental and Biological Sciences; Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
Co-Chairs of the Organizing Committee:
· Prof. Zhao Hai (CIB, Chengdu, Sichuan, China)
· Prof. Eric Lam (SEBS at Rutgers, New Jersey, USA)
Chair of the Technical Program:
· Prof. Jay J. Cheng (NC State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA)
III. Technical Program
1. Topics of Lectures
1. Advances in Biodiversity, Ecology and Natural Variations of Duckweed
2. Duckweed Genomics and Molecular Technologies
3. Bio-energy Conversion and Feedstock Production from Duckweed
4. Natural Products and Chemistry of Duckweed
5. Industrial Applications and Process Engineering Research on Duckweed.
2. General Discussion on Duckweed Research and Application
IV. Participants
The professionals and specialists who are interested in duckweed research as well as its applications, and wish to exchange information and ideas as to the best path to develop this aquatic model system as a resource and new crop system for waste-to-commodity production. Participants also include experts from various fields such as aquatic biology, biomass, biofuels, metabolic engineering and bioremediation. In addition, government officials and industrialists interested in developing novel crop systems that can serve as alternative renewable feedstocks to fossil fuels would be encouraged to attend. Lastly, environmental and educational specialists and groups would also benefit from the knowledge of the potentials of duckweed in sustainable wastewater treatment and environmental protection.
V. Venue
Chengdu Institute of Biology (CIB), the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China; October 5th - 7th, 2011
VI. Notice for Conference Activities
1. Please review the materials before attending the lectures and prepare to ask questions.
2. Please arrive on time to all the lectures.
3. Please dress appropriately and formally when coming to the ceremonies.
VII. A friendly reminder for preparation prior to coming to China
1. Please fill out the attached REGISTRATION FORM and return it by June 1st to the Organizing Committee of Conference (Email: icdra2011@cib.ac.cn).
2. Have your passport and visa ready on time, optimally by 2 weeks prior to departure for China.
3. Have your invitation letter, your business cards, and 2 passport photos with you.
VIII. Contact Information
Contact persons:
Mr. Zhao Hai (赵海) Tel: +86-28-85229857, Mobile: +86-13808073339, Email: zhaohai@cib.ac.cn
Ms. Fang Yang (方扬) Tel: +86-28-85229242, Mobile: +86-13880706895, Email: fangyang@cib.ac.cn
Address:
Chengdu Institute of Biology (CIB), the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
No. 9 Section 4, Renmin Nan Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China, Zip Code: 610041
Tel：+86-28-85229857 Fax: +86-28-85229242
We would like to thank everyone to consider attending this conference. In putting this international conference together, we will strive to make your experience in Chengdu, China, memorable and enjoyable as much as possible.
