The decline of conventional oil energy supply and the increasing demands of the world wide for energy consumption have stimulated the search for renewable, environmentally and friendly energy sources. One of the alternatives is the development of bioenergy, which has been put under intense spotlight due to recent controversies surrounding bio-fuels and the economics of using plants as bio-fuel sources. Thus, intensive scientific and technological efforts are still required before plant-based bioenergy industry can flourish in its own right.

In order to keep abreast the state-of-art research and development of bioenergy plants, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, Singapore will jointly hold “Bioenergy Plants Joint Symposium 2011” in Hefei. A panel of experts working on the forefront of bionergy plants research and development will be brought together to share their latest discoveries and experiences in exploitation of the genetic diversity and variation of bioenergy crops, regulation of biomass production and bioenergy traits, as well as tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. The workshop will provide an overview of the recent advances in the use of cell and tissue culture, molecular biology, biochemistry and metabolism regulation, genome, systems biology and other biotechnology tools in bioenergy plants research. We hope to formulate strategic plans to join efforts from both countries to boost bioenergy crop research. The symposium will take place on 30-31 May 2011 and the speakers will be well-recognised plant scientists in the field. The organizers hope that this workshop will not only provide a channel for all attendees to share and exchange their achievements and experience, but also stimulate future collaborations.

1. Sponsors and organizers

　　Organized by:
　　Heifei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
　　Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL), Singapore
　　The Society of Anhui Cell Biology

2. Date, place, and official language

　　Date: 30-31 May 2011
　　Place: Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, CAS, Hefei, Anhui, China
　　Official language: English and Chinese

3. Academic and Organizing Committee

　　Academic Committee
　　Chair: CHEN Fang, KUANG Guangli, YU Zengliang
　　Member: WU Yuejin, WU Lijun, XIE Qi, XU Zengfu, WU Lifang, ZHENG Zhiming, YAO Jianming
　　Organizing Committee
　　Chair: WU Lifang, LIU Junhong
　　Members : HONG Yan, WU Zhengyan, HUANG Qing, QIU Guannan, TANG Mingli, WANG Jun, YUAN Hang, CHEN Yan, LI Jun, LI Minghao

4. Topics

　　A. Current status and future development of bioenergy plants research
　　B. Germplasm collection and assessment
　　C. Developmental regulation of biomass production and bioenergy traits
　　D. Tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses
　　E. Genomics of bioenergy crops
　　F. Molecular breeding and biotechnology
　　G. Production pipeline technology

5. Invited speakers

　　Srinivasan Ramachandran,TLL, Singapore
　　HONG Yan, TLL, Singapore
　　YIN Zhongchao, TLL, Singapore
　　YUE Genhua, TLL, Singapore
　　JI Lianghui, TLL, Singapore
　　YE Jian, TLL, Singapore
　　CHEN Fang, Sichuan University
　　XU Zengfu, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, CAS
　　XIE Qi, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, CAS
　　YANG Weicai, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, CAS
　　LI Wenjian, Institute of Modern Physics, CAS
　　LIU Zhaopu, Nanjing Agricultural University

6. Registration and accommodation

For general participants, registration fee will be RMB￥600. The registration fee includes refreshments (coffee breaks), lunches on 30, 31 May and dinners on 29, 30 May, 2011. For foreigners, Hefei “Grand Hotel Overseas Traders Club” will be recommended. The organizers can book accommodation for the attendance. Please note that travel and accommodation costs will not be covered by the organizers.

7. Executive Secretary and Contacts
　　QIU Guannan, Tel: 86-551-5592270, 15155977189(cell phone), E-mail:guannanq@ipp.ac.cn
　　TANG Mingli, Tel: 86-551-5595672,13956038115(cell phone), E-mail:tangmingli65@126.com