Project Supervisors will be required to be very attentive to the final stages of these projects to ensure that not only is the technical work complete but the commercialisation aspects of the project are discussed regularly with the Commercialisation Manger.

Peter Twine and Deon Goosen were recently invited to meet with Visy Manufacturers in Brisbane to learn about their business operations and discuss how our research could form the backbone of some of Visy's future environmentally friendly packaging products.

Visy began manufacturing corrugated cardboard boxes in Melbourne in 1948. They have since grown to become one of the worlds' leading privately owned packaging, paper and recycling companies. Today, Visy is committed to helping combat climate change through many of their recycling programs and to providing environmentally friendly, renewable packaging options.

According to Peter Twine, Visy's philosophy marries well with some of our CRC's core research. Discussions will continue over the coming months and we will keep you updated on further progress.

Photo: Peter Twine and Deon Goosen with Visy R&D Manager Mark Young and CRC consultant Stephanie Smith at Visy in Brisbane.

One of the biggest challenges in sugarcane biotechnology is transferring benefits achieved in the laboratory to the field. Often introduced traits disappear in the field and/or overall yields may be reduced.

CRC SIIB-funded research has shown that this has a lot to do with transformation methods used. Improvements in transgenic technologies minimises genetic and cellular damages so that the genetically modified cane performs well in the field.

Prakash said new lines of sugarcane using improved transformation techniques (Agrobacterium-mediated and biolistic techniques) have recently been field tested.

"Many individual canes transformed by each method have performed well; however, expression of the introduced genes has been highest when an improved biolistic technique was used," according to Prakash.

"Overall, these results are taking us one step closer to GM canes that are ready for commercial release," he said.

Keynote speaker Tom Schwartz, Executive Vice President of the US Beet Sugar Development Foundation, spoke about the introduction and adoption of Roundup Ready sugar beet in the US where (since 2006) the proportion of crops has steadily climbed to 90% in 2009.

Other speakers addressed sugarcane biotechnology research in Australia, its potential use in plant breeding and current regulation.

According to Peter Twine, 'The workshops raised some thought-provoking questions and helped highlight to our industry the value of investing in biotechnology'.

*The workshops were organised by the Sugarcane Gene Technology Group and the CRC SIIB.

Held over two days at North Stradbroke Island, Moreton Bay Research Station, the workshop was presented by CSIRO Publishing Editor, Jenny Fegent. Emphasis was placed on how to write an engaging paper and what reviewers and editors look for when they receive a paper. The group also managed to squeeze in a trip to Point Lookout for a dip in the ocean and a walk to the Gorge.

Feedback over the two days was generally very positive; most students agreed they would have benefited from a longer workshop.

ASSCT
The ASSCT Annual Conference will be held at Ballina, NSW from Tuesday, 5 May to Friday 8 May 2009. For further information, go to http://www.assct.com.au/.  For all presenting authors of CRC research papers/posters, the CRC will consider contributing $500 towards conference costs. Please contact Peter Twine (peter.twine@crcsugar.com) or Ida Fellegara (ida.fellegara@crcsugar.com) for more information.

CRCA Conference
The Annual Conference is convened toward the end of May, and each year is held in a different city across the country.  The conference is an ideal opportunity for researchers, educators and industry people to network with CRCA members while gaining valuable insights regarding the nature of cooperative research ventures.

The 2009 CRCA Conference:

Dates:	Tuesday 26 May to Thursday 28 May 2009
Location:	Canberra, ACT
Venue:	National Convention Centre
Dinner:	The Great Hall, Parliament House; Tuesday evening

Read more information about the 2009 CRCA Conference

Tropical Crop Biotechnology
 
This second Tropical Crop Biotechnology Conference will be held at Kruger National Park, South Africa, from 22-25 July 2009. This is a follow-up to the very successful first conference held in Cairns, Australia, in 2006. The 2009 event will be an update of progress and prospects in plant biotechnology for the tropics.

For more information on the scientific programme and to register for next mailing contact Jens Kossmann, Institute for Plant Biotechnology, University of Stellenbosch (kossmann@sun.ac.za).

SABRAO 2009
The 14th APB and 11th SABRAO Conferences will be held at the Cairns Convention Centre this year from 10 to 14 August. The aim of these events is to bring together international experts, key decision makers and opinion leaders in the areas of: Environmental challenges and opportunities; Food securities; Education and training; and Research and development – all within the field for plant breeding.

For more information or to register, go to: www.plantbreeding09.com.au.

Agricultural Technologies in a Changing Environment
The 2009 CIGR International Symposium of the Australian Society for Engineering in Agriculture

13-16th September 2009 - Brisbane Australia

Third Announcement
You are invited to register for the 2009 CIGR International Symposium of the Australian Society for Engineering in Agriculture which is titled 'Agricultural Technologies in a Changing Climate'. The symposium will be held in Brisbane, Australia.

Registration for the symposium can be undertaken through the web address
www.seag2009.com.

Please note that Earlybird registration closes on the 30th April 2009.