Professor Sanushka Naidoo attended the Plant Biology Conference in Savannah Georgia from 5-9 August. She presented an EPPI research paper “Drought induced changes in defense related phytohormone signaling pathways contribute to increased susceptibility to fungal pathogen infection in Eucalyptus” authored by PhD candidate Mr Demissew Teshome, collaborators Dr Raphael Ployet, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Prof. Godfrey Zharare of the University of Zululand. The work, presented in the session on “Diversity of biotic stress responses” described the transcriptional reprogramming trees undergo during drought which may compromise host defences against pathogens. The Plant Biology meeting was supported by over 1000 delegates from around the world. A highlight was a presentation by Prof. Sheng Yang He, from Duke University, who described latest insight into how heat stress affects plant immunity. A plenary delivered by Dr Nora Lapitan from the USDA shared insights into translating basic research into crop protection. Prof. Naidoo also met with Prof. Xinnian Dong, the pioneer who discovered the non-expressor of pathogenesis related gene 1 (NPR1) in plants. The discussions centered on improving the use of this gene in resistance in forest trees. Other interactions included meeting with Prof. Jack Wang from North Carolina State University and Prof. CJ-Tsai from Georgia University on specific technologies related to tree biotechnology.