Plants exhibit mitotic and post-mitotic senescence. The senescence processes are unique yet complex developmental programs that are regulated by various internal factors and environmental cues. Distinct from many other developmental processes in plants that involve cell division, cell differentiation, and/or cell expansion, post-mitotic senescence (e.g., leaf senescence and flower senescence) is achieved by a massive operation of programmed cell death and concurrent nutrition recycling. Mitotic senescence also involves unique mechanisms by which plants use to determine the sizes of individual tissues, organs and/or organisms. On the other hand, senescence processes have a tremendous impact on the production, quality and safety of our foods, and on the renewable bioenergy/biomass accumulation. For examples, senescence limits the postharvest longevity of fruits, vegetables and ornamentals during transportation, storage and on shelves. Senescing produces become more susceptible to pathogens (some of which may produce toxins).

Because of the scientific and economic significance, much effort involving multi-disciplinary approaches has been made to decipher the senescence processes in plants and to devise means of manipulating them. During the past few years there has been significant progress in this regard, especially in the molecular, genetic and genomic aspects.

This conference aims to bringing together researchers and students working on various aspects of plant senescence and programmed cell death to review and discuss most recent progresses and frontier. The focus of the conference will be on the regulation of senescence and programmed cell death processes by various internal and environmental factors at molecular, genetic, genomic, physiological, biochemical, cellular, organic, organismal, and ecosystemic levels. Emerging new (bio)technologies for manipulating the senescence processes and programmed cell death will also be discussed.