Performing Department
Chemistry
Non Technical Summary
Nitrogen is an element that is essential for life. It is a key component of the protein that compromises our muscles and enzymes, as well as the DNA that allows cells to reproduce. We live in an atmosphere that is almost 80% nitrogen, but this in the chemically unreactive form of dinitrogen or N2 with a very strong NºN triple bond. Nitrogen is only available to humans, other animals, and plants if it is in a chemically 'fixed' form such as ammonia (NH3) or nitrate.Fixed nitrogen is often the limiting nutrient for growth of plants. We supplement fixed nitrogen in the soil by fertilizer that requires NH3 production. Ammonia is produced using the Haber-Bosch process at gigantic factories that account for 1-2% of global energy use and CO2 emissions. Apart from the energy costs, there are significant harmful environmental consequences, including CO2 emission, water eutrophication and dead zones from fertilizer runoff, and greenhouse gas emissions.Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is the other way that plants and animals can get their nitrogen. BNF is accomplished by specific types of microorganisms, in the oceans and in the soil, often in symbioses with plants. The bacteria use an enzyme called nitrogenase. Because BNF does not require fossil fuels, it is a sustainable process that is far better for the environment and cheaper for developing nations. There is tremendous interest worldwide in better use of BNF.This is a proposal requesting funds for the 19th International Conference of Nitrogen Fixation (ICNF), to be held at the Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove, California from October 4-9, 2015. The ICNF was first held in 1974 in Pullman, Washington, and it has been held on a regular basis ever since. The ICNF is a forum for scientists from around the world to present results related to nitrogen fixation.The need for such a gathering derives from the importance of face-to-face interactions between researchers in this highly interdisciplinary field. There is no other forum where the topic of nitrogen fixation is treated from an atomistic to global scale. There has recently been substantial progress in understanding (a) the chemistry and biosynthesis of the nitrogenase enzyme, (b) the molecular details of plant-microbe interactions, and (c) the environmental significance of nitrogen fixation. There is enormous potential for applying this scientific knowledge for improved biological nitrogen fixation that could both improve human nutrition in places like Africa and increase agricultural sustainability in the U.S. Given the vast improvements in genetic engineering, synthetic biology, and overall knowledge of nitrogen fixation biochemistry, the time is ripe for improving the capability for biological nitrogen fixation.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
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Applied
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Developmental
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Goals / Objectives
This is a proposal requesting funds for the 19th International Conference of Nitrogen Fixation (ICNF), to be held at the Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove, California from October 4-9, 2015. The ICNF was first held in 1974 in Pullman, Washington, and it has been held on a regular basis ever since. The ICNF is a forum for scientists from around the world to present results related to nitrogen fixation. The funds will be used primarily to enable travel by early career researchers and a select group of plenary speakers.
Project Methods
EffortsThe meeting will be conducted like previous ICNF Congresses, with plenary session talks, briefer parallel session talks, and poster sessions.The average day will include 2 plenary talks (1½ hours) and 3½ hours of parallel session lectures as well as significant time for poster sessions and casual conversations.EvaluationA meeting evaluation form will be distributed using a format similar to Gordon Research conferences.