NEWS FROM
PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM
 |
 |
Published monthly on behalf of SPPS by Wiley-Blackwell.
 |
|
|
|
 |
Vine disease causes senescence
|
Pierce's disease has become a major problem for wine growers in California and Central America. It is caused by the bacterial pathogen Xylella fastidiosa that uses leafhoppers for transmission. In diseased plants, a gel like substance forms in the xylem tissue and leaves turn yellow and brown. It is generally believed that symptoms arise from occlusion of xylem conduits but this may not be so according to new research conducted by Brendan Choat and colleagues at University of California, Davis. They measured leaf hydraulic conductance (i.e. how easy water is transported) in infected and uninfected Vitis vinifera cv. Chardonnay under different irrigation regimes and found that susceptibility to Pierce's disease was apparently favored by water stress. In addition, hydraulic conductance of infected leaves from field-grown vines was similar to naturally senescing leaves. From these results the researchers concluded that infection of X. fastidiosa leads to a systemic response that accelerates senescence.
Read full article free: Choat et al. (March 2009) Physiologia Plantarum 136: 384-394
|
|
NEWS IN BRIEF
FROM OTHER JOURNALS
|
|
Sex may improve industrial production
|
|
Source: Seidl et al. (18 August 2009) PNAS 106: 13909-13914
|
|
|
|
Orchid smells like prey
|
|
Source: Brodmann et al (25 August 2009) Current Biology 19: 1-5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Announcing the FESPB 2010 congress held in Valencia, Spain
|
| |
|
|
Preparations are well on their way for the FESPB 2010 congress in Valencia. From www.geyseco.es
|
|
|
The next congress of the Federation of European Societies of Plant Biology (FESPB) will be held in the Spanish city of Valencia on 4-9 July 2010. The scientific programme will cover almost all aspects of plant biology with a focus on multidisciplinary approaches like systems biology, genetics, molecular cell biology, biochemistry, and ecophysiology. The FESPB congresses have gained status as one of the most important congresses in plant biology not only in Europe but also globally, and the last congress in Tampere, Finland in 2008 (see former article in SPPS Newsletter) gathered about 1100 participants from 60 countries.
As a FESPB member you can join the congress for 475 € (students 320 €), whereas non-members must pay 550 € or 370 €, repectively. These fees apply for early registration before 11th February 2010 and after that date there will be a surcharge of around 15%. The registration fee includes admittance to all lectures, final programme, daily coffee breaks and lunch, opening ceremony and 50% subsidize on the congress dinner (an aditional 50 € fee will be required). The deadline for submission of abstracts is 1st March 2010. Special rates have been negotiated with five hotels and a limited number of rooms have been booked in advance. A single room will cost between 75 € and 130 € per night.
| |
|
|
The venue, Palacio de Congresos, is designed by Norman Foster. From www.palcongres-vlc.com
|
|
|
Valencia is a city of spectacular contrasts where 2000 years of diverse cultural influence mingle with modern trends. It is renowned for the avant-garde and futuristic museum complex, City of Arts and Sciences, but also the venue of the congress, Palacio de Congresos, is a remakable building designed by Norman Foster.
The scientific programme will include no less than 18 different sessions: - Biotechnology
- Cell Biology
- Emerging techniques
- Environmental Stress and Acclimation
- Epigenetics
- Hot Topics
- Metabolism
- Molecular Mechanisms of Abiotic Stress
- Natural Variation and Adaptation
- Photosynthesis and Respiration
- Plant Microbe Interaction
- Plants and Global Change
- Reproductive Development
- Root Development
- Signalling and Gene Expression
- Systems Biology and -Omics
- Vegetative Development
- Water and Minerals
A number of internationally renowned scientists have confirmed an invitation by the organizing committee to deliver a plenary lecture. These extinguished scientists include: - Owen Kenneth Atkin, Canberra, Australia
- Vincent Colot, Paris, France
- José Antonio Feijó, Lisboa, Portugal
- Niko Geldner, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Christophe Godin, Montpellier, France
- Ian Graham, York, UK
- Dirk Inzé, Ghent, Belgium
- Patrick Laufs, Versailles, France
- Cathie Martin, Norwich, UK
- David G. Robinson, Heidelberg, Germany
- Sabrina Sabatini, Rome, Italy
- David Salt, West Lafayette, USA
- Paul Schulze-Lefert, Köln, Germany
- Ramón Serrano, Valencia, Spain
- Roberto Solano, Madrid, Spain
- Fernando Valladares, Madrid, Spain
- Rens Voesenek, Utrecht, The Netherlands
There will be an award for the 8 best student posters. The winners will be presented at the end of the meeting, and the prize will be coverage of the costs of the registration fee for the next FESPB Congress.
You can read more about the congress on its official homepage or download the preliminary programme.
|
|
