The purpose of the Second International Congress for Plant Molecular Biology is to provide an open forum for the presentation of recent research findings in the area of plant molecular biology in its broadest sense, and to promote the exchange of ideas, concepts and technological advances among scientists throughout the world. Attendance is open to anyone interested in plant molecular biology world wide as is the opportunity to present experimental results through oral or poster presentations. It is anticipated that research workers in plant molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, physiology, pathology and tissue culture on both the basic and applied level will participate in the Congress. The need and usefulness of the Congress can be assessed by the success of the first Congress in Savannah, USA in 1985 which had 2,000 attendees from 39 countries, and by the response to the first circular of this Congress to which over 2,000 scientists have replied to date. This, in turn, attests to the dynamic, exciting status that plant molecular biology is experiencing, which can be attributed to the rapid advances in the field and to the potential impact of this field on world agriculture. Support by the National Science Foundation will permit partial travel awards of $500 each to approximately 30 young investigators who will be presenting research at the Congress. This will help assure adequate representation of young U.S. scientists at this important international meeting.
