Please join us as the American Chemical Society dedicates the USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center as a National Historic Chemical Landmark for the isolation of phytochrome.
In 1959, researchers at the USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center first isolated phytochrome, a light-sensitive pigment found throughout plant species. Phytochrome allows plants to regulate many growth and development processes by detecting light and darkness. For example, some flowers bloom based on changes to day length over the course of their growing season in a phenomenon known as photoperiodism. Understanding phytochrome’s role in plant development allows scientists to produce commercial crops for seasons and latitudes not previously possible, both by manipulating the environment through lighting controls and by breeding plants with desirable photoperiodic traits.
EVENT DETAILS:
Where:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center
10300 Baltimore Ave., Building 003 Auditorium
Beltsville, MD 20705
When:
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015
NHCL Designation Ceremony, 10:00 a.m. to noon
Phytochrome Symposium, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
RSVP:
Events are free, but RSVPs are required. In order for us to maintain an accurate list of attendees, please indicate whether you wish to attend the designation ceremony, symposium, or both. To RSVP, email Jim Polous. Photo identification will be required onsite.
ACS Contact:
For questions about the ceremony or the NHCL program, email Keith Lindblom, ACS NHCL Manager.
Photo credit: bluecorvette / CC BY 2.0
