Rice blast disease, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, remains one of the most destructive rice diseases worldwide. In the three years since the 4th International Rice Blast Conference (IRBC) was held in Changsha, Hunan, China, rapid progress has been made in a wide range of research topics on the biology, genomics, host-pathogen interactions, resistance, and disease management. On behalf of the 5th IRBC organizing committee, we cordially invite you to attend this exciting meeting.

2010 topics include:

Click here for a copy of the Conference Program and Proceedings

If your presentation was not listed in the program and proceedings it has been assigned to the poster presentation by the organizing committee.

Click here for a list of the Poster Presentations

Click here for the 5th International Rice Blast Conference Poster

Registration Deadline: May 28, 2010

Abstract Submission Deadline: June, 30, 2010   Note: Indicate the intention of the abstract, i.e. for presentation or for poster. Due to time constraints of the conference, some abstracts may not be presented as oral presentations - you will be notified of the decision shortly after the deadline.

Dimensions for the 5th IRBC posters must not exceed 46" wide x 46" long.

Abstract Competition: First Prize $300, Second Prize $200, Third Prize $100.

Note: Abstract competition is only for graduate students and postdoctoral research associates who will attend the 5th IRBC. Only one award can be given to any single lab if multiple abstracts are submitted from this lab.

Abstract competition chairperson: Tom Mitchell

Registration Fees are $300, $400 after May 28, 2010; Fees for graduate students from individual labs are as follows: 1 Student - $300, 2 Students - $500, 3 Students - $600, Each additional student over 3 is $100.

Click here for a list of registered participants as of June 23, 2010.  

Conference fee includes breakfast each day and the banquet on August 14, 2010.

Conference Reception and Award Ceremony will be held at the                   William J. Clinton Presidential Library.

The conference will take place at the Peabody Hotel situated on The River Market, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. Little Rock is the capital of the state of Arkansas. Arkansas produces 50% of the US rice crop. A block of rooms has been reserved for the conference (single $149, double $149, triple $159, quad $169). Click on the "Peabody Hotel" link above and once you get to their website then click on Reservations. Scroll down on the left side of the screen and enter 327580 in the "Group Number" box, click on Submit. The group's information should now appear and allow you to make a reservation at the group rates. Make your reservations by June 30, 2010 to secure these rates.

Local transportation and maps:

Please note: Foreign currency exchange is not available in the Little Rock airport.

Cost for a taxicab from the airport to the Peabody Hotel is approximately $25.

Click here for transportation information

Click here for a map from the airport to the hotel

Click here for a map of the downtown area

For Award nomination send the following documents to Barbara Valent, (Awards Nomination Chairperson). Deadline is June 30, 2010. 

1. Nomination letter (up to 2 pages)
2. Draft executive summary to be read at the awards ceremony (includes the most important accomplishments and impacts). See examples, section XV, in "Advances in Genetics, Genomics and Control of Rice Blast Disease", published from the 2007 meeting in Changsha, Hunan, China.
3. A Complete up-to-date CV