In plants, secondary metabolites function in many ways, such as detoxification, communication, signaling, safeguarding and other biological processes. In human society, many plant secondary metabolites play a significant role in medication and are used as an important source of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals as well. In China, there is a long tradition of plant secondary metabolite utilization that has played a crucial role in Chinese dietary culture and medicine. There are thousands of different secondary compounds in plants which often exist in a low content and are difficult to artificially synthesize in vitro. Elucidation of such a variety of secondary compound biosynthesis per se is an attraction of science, while the knowledge of the biosynthesis will help human beings benefit more from plant secondary metabolites.

        Today, the rapid development of life sciences and technologies provides us unprecedented opportunities to dissect the complexity of secondary metabolome. The advances in the field, such as identification of new compounds, characterization of key enzymes in the biosyntheses, genomic elucidation of the biosynthesis pathways and so on, open a wide avenue to understand plant secondary metabolisms as well as to develop biotechnological tools for manipulation of the biosyntheses.

        The 1^st International Conference on Plant Secondary Metabolism in the theme of "Human Heath and Plant Secondary Metabolites" will bring together the scientists to share the state of the art knowledge on the secondary metabolisms including vitamins, carotinoids and flavonoids, antinutrients and others, cell walls, metabolic network and metabolomics, and metabolic engineering. This conference will also serve as a bridge, connecting the Chinese scientists with the international community and building an interdisciplinary network to foster the secondary metabolism research in China.

        The conference will be held during June 8-11, 2008 in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. Yunnan is well-known for its diverse cultures, breath-taking natural scenery and pleasant climate. However, the most attraction from Yunnan is rich in biodiversity and vanward in research on plant secondary metabolites, which makes her the best place to hold the 1^st Conference.

        On behalf of the conference organizing committee, I would like to invite you to attend the conference, sharing the science and enjoying the diversities. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ms. Hui Chen (chenhui@sibs.ac.cn).

        We are looking forward to meeting you in Kunming, China.

        Sincerely Yours

Xiao-Ya Chen, Ph.D.
Chairman, Organizing Committee