IX Cell Wall Research Conference 2022 (IXCWRC): Cell Wall Research for New Fundamental Discoveries and Applications in Plant Biology

The meeting 'IX Cell Wall Research Conference 2022 (IXCWRC): Cell wall research for new fundamental discoveries and applications in plant biology' will be held in East Lansing, Michigan on June 13-17, 2022. The meeting will focus on the plant cell wall, which makes up most of the plant biomass, interfaces with the external environment, and supports the growth of the entire organism.

Understanding the cellular and extracellular processes necessary to build and maintain the plant cell wall is important because cell wall biosynthesis and remodeling during growth and disease are largely uncharacterized processes, and because of the relevance of the cell wall for food, fiber, fuel, and other materials that are indispensable to humans. A better understanding of how the cell wall is synthesized, deposited, and maintained during plant growth and in response to the environment can inform and improve biotechnological processes for increasing plant yield and resilience.

Acquiring such knowledge requires the exchange of new ideas and results as well as the development and application of new technologies.

The IXCWRC aims to provide an open forum to discuss new ideas and theories, develop collaborations for scientists across the globe in a diverse and supportive environment, in addition to promoting and training the next generation of scientists through tailored workshops and activities. The NSF award will be used to develop an exciting program, particularly by broadening the participation of early career investigators to the meeting, facilitating their networking and fostering the foundations of an inclusive community in science.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.