International Conference Gathers Plant Biology Researchers to Turku in 2018
The International Conference on Arabidopsis Research regularly brings together over 800 scientists from all corners of the world for five days to discuss all aspects of molecular plant science from research on plant growth and development to improving plant tolerance to adverse environmental conditions.
The conference is centered on all aspects of modern plant biology using thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana) as a model system.
The International Conference on Arabidopsis Research is a yearly conference rotating between North America, Australasia and Europe. The conference is centered on all aspects of modern plant biology using thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana) as a model system.
– The strong plant research community at the University of Turku together with the unique location on the Baltic coast surrounded by numerous small islands makes Turku a memorable location for a scientific conference, says Dr. Michael Wrzaczek from the University of Helsinki, Department of Biosciences.
ICAR has not been previously organised in northern Europe. Thus, bringing ICAR2018 to Turku will be a premiere for the Nordic Countries. Finnish government research centres have traditionally had strong plant biology and plant breeding programs.
Photosynthesis research is a thematic focus in the University of Turku. In the University of Helsinki, the emphasis is on molecular plant biology, concentrating on plant development and plant responses to the environment. In the University of Oulu, the focus is on population studies. The organisation team for ICAR2018 consists of scientists from the University of Turku as well as from the Universities of Helsinki and Oulu.
– With Logomo, Turku also features a conference centre which combines industrial heritage with state-of-the-art technology and facilities, says Wrzaczek and Sari Ruusumo from the City of Turku.
JV