6th International Rice Genetics Symposium

World's Biggest & Most Important Rice Research Conference Opens 16-19 November 2009

6th International Rice Genetics Symposium, to be opened by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha
Chakri Sirindhorn, expects more than 700 top international scientists and researchers

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, 18 AUGUST 2009 - The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) announces staging of its sixth International Rice Genetics Symposium, one of the world's biggest and most important rice research conferences. More than 700 top international scientists and
researchers are expected to attend this prestigious event held from 16-19 November 2009, Manila Hotel, Philippines. Adding to its scope and significance, this major event, to be opened by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, will be held in conjunction with the 7th International Symposium on Rice Functional Genomics and the Rice Annotation Project 6 (RAP6) Workshop.

The 6th International Rice Genetics Symposium comes at a key time for the international rice industry, which is under unprecedented pressure following record high prices and major production challenges. It provides an important forum for reviewing the latest advances in rice
research, how recent breakthroughs could affect global food security, and in-depth discussion and exchange of information on classical genetics and genomics. "The symposium is a timely event that builds on the excitement generated by rapid advances in rice genomics and its potential benefits to food security and the international rice industry", stated Dr Robert Zeigler, Director General of the International Rice Research Institute.

This major event will showcase the latest developments in the field, including research on breeding, mapping of genes and quantitative trait loci, identification and cloning of candidate genes for biotic and abiotic stresses, gene expression, and genomic databases and mutant induction for functional genomics. Dr Julia Bailey-Serres, Professor of Genetics, Botany and Plant Sciences & Director, NSF ChemGen IGERT Program, Center for Plant Cell Biology of University of California-Riverside added, "The 6th International Rice Genetics Symposium provides the best opportunity to share experience in the efforts of improving tolerance of rice to abiotic stresses, including extremes in water availability, temperatures, and toxic minerals in soils and the air. This major rice event draws an international cohort of speakers and attendees who share a common goal in enhancing the understanding of rice biology to improve rice production for mankind. It promises an exciting view of how interactions between basic and applied scientists are affecting the livelihood of farmers in Asia and Africa." Dr Rod A. Wing, Professor University of Arizona, Director Arizona Genomics Institute reinforced, "The 6th international Rice Genetics Symposium provides me with great speaking opportunities and an excellent platform to meet and interact with the best and brightest rice researchers in the world."

Mr Adrian Lau, General Manager of the co-organizer and secretariat - IIR Special Events Group speaks with confidence, "With the series of activities, the 6th International Rice Genetics Symposium also promises abundant opportunities for knowledge sharing and networking". One key activity will be knowledge sharing workshops, chaired by leading experts, that will benefit the attendees from the in depth discussion on special topics in rice genetics. There will be an exclusive conference dinner, featuring a special program that promises abundant opportunities for knowledge exchange and networking. An exclusive field tour of IRRI in Los Baños will highlight the institute's field and laboratory experiments and guarantees a comprehensive and detailed field experience for the delegates. The exhibition showcases the latest technology and introduces potential customers to new products. It offers an international platform for great networking and market penetration opportunities within the rice industry.

For more information and updates, visit www.ricegenetics.com

About International Rice Genetics Symposium
This is the Sixth International Rice Genetics Symposium in the series of symposia held by IRRI every 4-5 years. The first international symposium held in 1985 led to the birth of the Rice Genetics Cooperative (RGC) for promoting international collaboration. The same year, the Rockefeller Foundation established the International Program on Rice Biotechnology, which has played a major role in advancing the frontiers of knowledge on cellular and molecular genetics of rice, international collaboration, and human resource development. In the second symposium, a unified system of numbering rice chromosomes and linkage groups was adopted. The orientation of classical and molecular maps was one of the many highlights of the third symposium. The fourth symposium brought together 520 rice scientists from 32 countries and provided an excellent forum for scientists from developed and developing countries to share information on the latest advances in rice science and to develop collaborative research projects. The fifth symposium attracted more than 700 rice scientists from 43 countries and featured world famous geneticists delivering plenary lectures covering a wide range of topics from classical genetics to the most advanced research on gene isolation and functional genomics.

Organizer - About International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Based in the Philippines, IRRI is the oldest and largest international agricultural research institute in Asia. It is an autonomous, non-profit rice research and education organization with staff based in 14 countries in Asia and Africa.

IRRI mission is to reduce poverty and hunger, improve the health of rice farmers and consumers,
and ensure that rice production is environmentally sustainable. IRRI works closely with most rice-
producing and consuming countries and the national agricultural research and extension systems
as well as farming communities and a range of international, regional, and local organizations. In
partnerships with these national systems, IRRI conduct research and provide training and education for those helping rice farmers by disseminating information and proven, sustainable technologies.

IRRI was established in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations in cooperation with the Philippine government. Its headquarters-which feature modern laboratories, training and
accommodation facilities, and a 252-hectare experimental farm-lie next to the main campus of
the University of the Philippines Los Baños, about 60 kilometers south of the Philippine capital,
Manila.

For more information, please visit www.irri.org

Co-Organizer and Secretariat - About IIR Special Events Group
Drawing on the experience and expertise of running our own events, exhibitions and conferences,
IIR Special Events Group also manages client events ranging from exhibitions, congresses and conferences, together with sponsored functions, breakfast meetings, awards dinners, etc.

IIR Special Events Group has extensive experience in-house on all aspects of event management, including project management, operations and marketing. It has established relationships with a range of professional and reliable partners to ensure the best possible service and delivery for all events, locally as well internationally.

IIR Special Events Group is part of the Informa Plc, the world's leading international provider of
specialist information and services for the academic and scientific, professional and commercial business communities via publishing, events and performance improvement. Informa employs
over 9,500 staff in more than 45 countries.

For more information, please visit www.iirx.com.sg

Press Contact:

Ms Charmaine Chin
Marketing Manager
IIR Special Events Group
205 Henderson Road
#03-01 Henderson Industrial Park
Singapore 159549
Tel : +65 6517 4200
Fax : +65 6319 2669
Email charmaine.chin@iirx.com.sg