Performing Department
Biology
Non Technical Summary
This project will partially defray expenses for the "23rd Penn State Plant Biology Symposium: RNA Biology". RNA biology has been especially important in recent years with Nobel Prize-winning breakthroughs in RNAi and CRISPR, not to mention the global pandemic centering on an RNA virus and mRNA vaccines. This has led to astonishing advances in RNA technology and applications, and plants have been no exception. Topics that will be covered in our RNA Biology conference include small RNAs, RNA structure, RNA processing, localization, translation, and epigenetics, and interconnections to the roles that RNA plays in plant growth, development, physiology, defense, and abiotic stress response. The conference will feature established and emerging leaders in all aspects of plant RNA biology, who will present on the latest biological and technological advances in this exciting field. Short talks will also be chosen on the basis of submitted abstracts, and there will be ample time for informal discussions and poster presentations.Fundamental understanding of RNA-based processes in plants (including RNA interference, CRISPR, and epigenetics) is becoming a key driver of agricultural innovation. This conference will enhance US agricultural innovation by disseminating and producing novel knowledge to be utilized by crop breeders and the biotechnology industry. Discoveries and applications of RNA-based processes presented at this conference will include a strong contingent of crop species. This conference fits the Physiology of Agricultural Plants (A1152) program because of its focus on molecular, biochemical, and genetic traits/tools in crops. The conference content will identify and highlight new and emerging areas of emphasis for thePhysiology of Agricultural Plants program.
Animal Health Component
15%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
75%
Applied
15%
Developmental
10%
Goals / Objectives
This project will use USDA NIFA support to partially defray expenses for the "23rd Penn State Plant Biology Symposium: RNA Biology". The conference will be held May 18-20, 2022, on the University Park campus of The Pennsylvania State University. The conference will feature established and emerging leaders in all aspects of plant RNA biology, who will present on the latest biological and technological advances in this exciting field. This conference is the continuation of two long-running small conference series: The Plant State Plant Biology symposia (of which this will be the 23rd), and the Posttranscriptional Gene Regulation in Plants symposia (of which this will be the 12th). Both conference series have a strong history of innovative, impactful, and cross-disciplinary activities, and of engaging and showcasing early stage researchers.Fundamental understanding of RNA-based processes in plants (including RNA interference, CRISPR, and epigenetics) is becoming a key driver of agricultural innovation. This conference will enhance US agricultural innovation by disseminating and producing novel knowledge to be utilized by crop breeders and the biotechnology industry. Discoveries and applications of RNA-based processes presented at this conference will include a strong contingent of crop species. This conference fits the Physiology of Agricultural Plants (A1152) program because of its focus on molecular, biochemical, and genetic traits/tools in crops. The conference content will identify and highlight new and emerging areas of emphasis for thePhysiology of Agricultural Plants program.
Project Methods
The meeting is being organized by a committee thatincludes six highly active and accomplished researchers in the field. We have elected no formal chairperson and instead are cooperating with equal responsibilities. The committee also includes a professional conference coordinator who has been hired to handle logistics.Sarah Assmann, Waller Professor of Biology, The Pennsylvania State UniversityMichael Axtell, Professor of Biology, The Pennsylvania State UniversityPhilip Bevilacqua, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Head of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State UniversityPamela Green, Unidel Crawford H. Greenewalt Chair Professor of Plant Molecular Biology, University of DelawareBrian Gregory, Associate Professor of Biology, University of PennsylvaniaTeh-hui Kao, Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State UniversityNaomi Knaub, Conference Coordinator, College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University