Impact of Hormone Research on Science and Economy

This request is for a partial support for a symposium to be organized at the annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America in Indianapolis between 10-13, December, 2006. Insect hormone research conducted during past century returned many things to the society through numerous contributions made tov\ards advancement of science in multiple areas including endocrinology, neurobiology, chemical ecology, behavior. aging, immunity and defense. At the same time, insect hormone research contributed towards the development safer targetspecific insecticides for controlling insects that destroy our crops, trees and houses, and transmit plant. animal and human diseases. Research in this area also contributed towards development of gene switches for applications in medicine and agriculture. This symposium aims to cover key advances in insect hormone research that led to giving something back to the society. Dr. Riddiford and her associates (students. postdoctoral fellows, and collaborators) have made significant contributions towards advancement of insect hormone research during past half century. Students, post doctoral associates and collaborators of Dr. Riddiford and other scientists who are actively conducting research in this area will be invited to present their work. We plan to publish the papers presented at the symposium in a special issue of an insect journal