Bangkok--9 Nov--Pro Media Two world-renowned rice scientists are honoured at BioAsia 2007 for their contribution to the global rice industry. Dr Gurdev Khush from University of California, the United States and Prof. Susan McCouch from Cornell University, USA are two recipients to this year Golden Sickle Award from H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at the opening ceremony of BioAsia 2007 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. Dr Gurdev Singh Khush and his team at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Manila, the Philippines, have introduced over 300 new grain varieties. Today, IRRI rice varieties and their progenies are planted in over 70 % of the world's rice-fields. Dr Khush is still working on new grain varieties with the goal to increase yields by approximately 25%. He has the life-time mission to carry on work towards the improvement of rice, and to be able to feed more and more people.Prof. Susan McCouch from Cornell University, USA is among early group of scientists working on the rice genome with the publication of the first molecular map of the rice genome in 1988, research on disease resistance, drought tolerance, maturity and yield. Prof. Susan is interested in the evolutionary history of rice as the basis for understanding how diversity is partitioned genetically and distributed geographically. Both recipients of Golden Sickle Award give a lecture at BioAsia 200y on topics of "How to Feed Five Billion Rice Consumers in 2030" by Dr Khush and "Through the Genetic Bottleneck: Discovery and Utilization of Wild Alleles for Crop Improvement" by Prof. McCouch. BioAsia 2007 themed "Technology for Self-Sufficient Agriculture in Asia" encompasses two international conferences; The 6th Asian Crop Science Association Conference and The 2nd International Conference on Rice for the Future. The conferences are essential agricultural, scientific and biotechnology events attended by world leading scientists, academics and business communities. Participants at the conferences will discuss extensively on agricultural technologies that involve not only the utilization of crops as food but also bio-fuel, medicines, human and animal vaccines by oral taking as well as the increase of efficiency in plant photosynthesis. Highlights of lectures at the five-day conference include "Biofortification: Using Agricultural Technology to Improve Public Health" by Dr. Howarth Bouis from HarvestPlus; "Gene Discovery and Prospects for Transgenic Biofortified Crops" by Prof. Peter Beyer from University of Freiburg, Germany; "Multidisciplinary Approaches to Better Understand the Genetic Basis of Drought Tolerance in Plants" by Dr. Jean-Marcel Ribaut from Generation Challenge Programme, C/O CIMMYT, Mexico. Other topics are "Can Improvement in Photosynthesis Increase Crop Yields- A Theoretical Framework for Applying Biotechnology" by Prof. Stephen P. Long, from University of Illinois, USA; "Phenotyping for Drought Tolerance" by Dr. Philippe Monneveux from Generation Challenge Programme, C/O CIMMYT, Mexico; and "Musa Genome Analysis" by Dr. Takuji Sasaki from National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Japan. Dr. Robert S. Zeigler from International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) will lecture about New Solutions to Old Problems and Future Challenges: What Science can do to Make the Asian Rice Industry More Productive. He elaborates problems of rice cultivation in Thailand related to issues such as flood, drought and disease as well as describes how to apply science and technology to solve identified problems. The BioAsia 2007 will also have an Exhibition Showcase featuring "The Monarchy and Thai Rice". Rice has played a vital role in the daily life of Thai people from the old days and Thai kings in any era were known to be actively involved with rice development. This Exhibition aims to commemorate the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary. The 2nd Asia Bio Business Partnering will be held on 7-9 November 2007 within the framework of BioAsia 2007 Thailand. The activity aims to offer opportunities for bioscience companies to find a new market and to develop a strong bioprocessing sub-sector within Asian territory. The International Trade Show which will see more than 150 companies, academic and research institutes from around the globe showcasing their latest research, products and services in the biotechnology sector. BioAsia 2007 and the international conferences as well as other activities are held at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. The international conferences are held during 5-9 November 2007 while the exhibitions are displayed during 7-9 November 2007. BioAsia 2007 and the international conferences are organized by S.L.M. Management Co, Ltd in cooperation with National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC). The event is also supported by Science and Technology Ministry, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Board of Investment and Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau. All media representatives are welcomed to attend all conferences and activities during the event. For more information, please contact Khun Patraporn at Pro Media PR Co, Ltd at 02-632-6728-9, fax at 02-632-6729, mobile phone (Amy) 081-843-0868 or e-mail to [email protected] or [email protected].