16 Current Research in Microbiology and Biotechnology Vol. 1, No. 1 (2013): 16-22 Symposium Report Open Access Meeting report: International symposium on plant biotechnology towards tolerance to stresses and enhancing crop yield (ISPB-2011) DM Pandey 1 *, AS Vidyarthi 1 , VK Nigam 1 , D Prasad 1 , R Ramani 2 , BC Prasad 3 , R Das 4 , A Kumar 1 , GK Prajapati 1 , A Kumari 1 , A Wany 1 1 Department of Biotechnology, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India 2 Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums, Namkum, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India 3 Central Tasar Research & Training Institute, Piska Nagari, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India 4 Institute of Forest Productivity, Lalgutawa, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India * Corresponding author. email: dmpandey@bitmesra.ac.in An International Symposium on Plant Biotechnology towards Tolerance to Stresses and Enhancing Crop Yield (ISPB-2011) was organized by Department of Biotechnology, Birla Institute of Technology (BIT), Mesra, Ranchi, India in association with Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums (IINRG), Namkum, Ranchi, India; Central Tasar Research & Training Institute (CTR & TI), Piska Nagari, Ranchi, India; Institute of Forest Productivity (IFP), Lalgutawa, Ranchi, India; AoB PLANTS, UK and Biotech Research Society (BRSI), India at BIT Mesra, Ranchi, India during September 28 to October 01, 2011. The aim of the ISPB-2011 was to provide updates on the latest biotechnological advances through peer-reviewed paper presentations, essential and emerging topics for combating the todays unfavorable environmental conditions, share the pioneering ideas and experiences from the academic leaders and researchers, and personnel from top industries as well as formulating better research directions to meet the current challenges. Nearly 300 participants (including 36 overseas participants representing 16 countries) attended the ISPB-2011 meeting (Figure 1). More than 170 abstracts were received and reviewed by a panel of experts for their suitability and inclusion in various themes of the Symposium. Total 151 abstracts (representing Key Speaker and Special Session, Abiotic and Biotic Stress Session, Crop Improvement and Breeding Session, Proteomics and Metabolomics Session, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Session, Functional Genomics Session as well as Policy Issues Sessions) were recommended for presentation and printing in ISPB-2011 proceeding. Inauguration session was started by welcoming Hon’ble Chief Guest, Professor A. K. Tyagi (Director, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi, India), Professor Ajay Chakrabarty (Vice Chancellor, BIT, Mesra, Ranchi, India), Dr. R. Ramani (Director, IINRG, Ranchi, India), Shri. R. Das (Director, IFP, Ranchi, India), Professor A. S. Vidyarthi (Head, Department of Biotechnology, BIT, Mesra, Ranchi, India and Chairman, ISPB-2011) and Dr. D. M. Pandey (Organizing Secretary, ISPB-2011) on dias with flower bouquets and Symposium Mementoes followed by release of Symposium Souvenir (Figures 2 and 3). Professor A. Chakrabarty formally extended his welcome to the Chief Guest, invited speakers and guests from different countries, participants, faculty of BIT Mesra, Organizing Committee, volunteers and media persons on this occasion. Professor Chakrabarty emphasized that such meeting will help to bring into the notice about the new experiments and developments. Professor Chakrabarty also appreciated the initiatives of Biotechnology Department for Organizing ISPB-2011 at BIT Mesra and support of the event partners (IINRG, Ranchi, India; IFP, Ranchi, India; CTR & TI, Ranchi, India; AoB PLANTS, UK and BRSI, India). Dr. A. S. Vidyarthi presented an overview of the ISPB-2011 meeting, current challenges and need in agriculture sector (particularly in Jharkhand and Bihar states of India), as well as various thrust areas that are being covered in the present symposium. Dr. R. Ramani in his address also touched upon the emerging challenges and need to develop new technologies for sustainable agricultural development in the country. He emphasized on the role of Pant Breeding and Biotechnology in Indian agriculture for food security. Received: 23 December 2012 Accepted: 25 December 2012 Online: 01 January 2013 http://crmb.aizeonpublishers.net/content/2013/1/crmb16-22.pdf ISSN: 2320-2246