<strong><a href="http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~lspencer/gene_flow.htm">Scientific Methods Workshop, March 5 and 6, 2002 Columbus, Ohio</a></strong>See the<a href="http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~lspencer/agenda.htm">AGENDA</a> for information on specific speakers and topics.Select the<a href="http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~lspencer/Proceedings.pdf"> PROCEEDINGS</a> documentfor more complete summariesMeeting DescriptionGene flow from transgenic plants to wild relatives is one of the major research areas targeted by USDAs<a href="http://www.reeusda.gov/crgam/biotechrisk/biotech.htm">Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants Program (BRARGP)</a> . We received funds for a two-day workshop that brought together researchers who study the prevalence and consequences of gene flow from transgenic crops to weeds and other wild relatives. On the first day, speakers discussed the general context for gene flow research, the information needs of USDA-APHIS, EPA, and the biotechnology industry, and case studies of specific crop-wild complexes, including cucurbits, brassicas, sunflower, sorghum, rice, wheat, maize, strawberry, poplar, and turfgrasses.On the second day, break-out groups discussed the advantages and disadvantages of various approaches for studying the occurrence of gene flow and various effects of gene flow (fitness effects of transgenes in wild relatives, effects on population dynamics, indirect community effects, and effects on the genetic diversity of wild relatives). The crops, wild relatives, and regulatory issues we discussed focused on the USA, but much of the workshop was also relevant to similar situations in other countries. Bridging the fields weed science and plant ecology, this workshop defined the most appropriate and rigorous empirical methods available for studying questions related to gene flow from transgenic crops to weedy and wild relatives.Steering CommitteeDr. Allison Snow (Chair and Co-PI), Ohio State UniversitDr. Carol Mallory-Smith (Co-PI), Oregon State UniversitDr. Norman Ellstrand, University of California at RiversideDr. Jodie Holt, University of California at RiversideDr. Hector Quemada, Crop Technology Consulting, Inc., Kalamazoo, MichiganLogistical Coordinator: Dr. Lawrence Spencer, Ohio State University