Conference: Plasmid Biology 2002 Symposium, being held in Pittsburgh, PA summer 2002.

质粒生物学2002年会议将于2002年6月在美国匹兹堡召开。质粒代表了原核生物、真核生物和古细菌中发现的一组独特的遗传元素。质粒除了用作基础生物学研究的模型外，也是生物技术工业的重要工具，包括在与医学和农业有关的应用中使用。质粒是各种生物之间遗传多样性的主要来源，并负责自然界中各种基因的传播。质粒生物学2002代表了每两年举行一次讨论该领域主要进展的研讨会的延续。这次会议涉及质粒生物学的各个方面，包括它们的复制和维持、转移、它们作为水平基因库来源的作用、进化和生态学。预计将有大约200名科学家参加。没有类似的会议深入讨论质粒生物学的各个领域。这次会议服务于国际质粒生物学社区，并为交流思想提供了一个极好的论坛，这对该领域的持续进步至关重要。传统上，会议的参与者包括该领域的领导者以及研究生和博士后等年轻科学家。鼓励青年科学家进行口头报告，旨在激发他们对这一领域的热情。NSF基金将帮助支付研究生和博士后研究员的旅费。

The Plasmid Biology 2002 Conference will be held in Pittsburgh in June 2002. Plasmids represent a unique group of genetic elements found in prokaryotes, eukaryotes and archaeon. In addition to their use as models for basic biological studies, plasmids are also important tools in the biotechnology industry, including their use in applications relevant to medicine and agriculture. Plasmids are a major source for genetic diversity amongst various organisms and are responsible for the spread of a variety of genes in nature. Plasmid Biology 2002 represents a continuation of the symposium held to discuss the highlights of major advances in this field every two years. This meeting deals with all aspects of plasmid biology, including their replication and maintenance, transfer, their role as a source of a horizontal gene pool, evolution, and ecology. Approximately 200 scientists are expected to attend. There is no similar meeting that has an in-depth discussion of the various areas of plasmid biology. This meeting serves the international plasmid biology community and provides an excellent forum for exchange of ideas that are critical for the continued advances in the field. Participants in the meeting have traditionally included leaders in the field as well as younger scientists such as graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Oral presentations by young scientists are encouraged and are designed to stimulate their enthusiasm for this field. NSF funds will help defray travel expenses of graduate students and postdoctural fellows.