DANFORTH CENTER TO RECOGNIZE DR. PETER H. RAVEN AND DIVERGENCE, INC. DURING "AN EVENING OF EXPLORATION III" GALA

Attendees Will Don Lab Coats For Rare Exploration Into World Of Plant Science

St. Louis, October 14, 2004 – As St. Louis’ unique plant and life science cluster continues to blossom, on October 15 the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center will recognize the global leadership in plant science of Peter H. Raven, Ph.D. and the plant science achievements of Divergence, Inc. while providing a rare glimpse into the research of vital plant crops during “An Evening of Exploration III” gala.

“St. Louis is internationally recognized for research in plant science due in large part to Dr. Raven's leadership in establishing the Missouri Botanical Garden as a world-class research center as well as a spectacularly beautiful garden. Peter's vision was also key to developing our Center,” said Dr. William Danforth, chairman of the board of trustees of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. “Divergence's success is creating similar recognition for St. Louis as a region that fosters innovative development in bio-based businesses.”

Dr. Raven will be the recipient of the Danforth Award for Plant Science, and Divergence, Inc. will be the recipient of the Danforth Distinguished Service Award.

The Danforth Award for Plant Science recognizes a prominent national or international leader for outstanding achievement and service in the conduct and/or advocacy of science for the benefit of agriculture, food, nutrition or human health. This year’s recipient, Dr. Peter H. Raven, who is a founding visionary for the Danforth Center, will be recognized for his achievements in science to preserve endangered plants and his advocacy to create a sustainable environment. As the Director of the Missouri Botanical Garden, he has been instrumental in establishing St. Louis as a world-class plant science research center. Previous recipients include Dr. Mary-Dell Chilton, Principal Syngenta Fellow at Syngenta Biotechnology Inc., and Dr. Ernie Jaworski, former Interim President of the Danforth Center.

The Danforth Distinguished Service Award recognizes outstanding individuals or organizations that have been important partners in the development of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and/or in the development of St. Louis as an international center for plant science. This year’s recipient, Divergence, Inc., which conducts collaborative research with the Danforth Center, will be recognized for the company’s contribution to the economic growth of the St. Louis region through the development of safe and effective controls of parasitic nematodes. Previous recipients include Christopher S. “Kit” Bond U.S. Senator for Missouri, Hendrik Verfaillie former president and CEO of Monsanto Company, and Dr. Virginia Weldon, former head of public policy outreach for Monsanto Company.

“It is an honor to recognize the established achievements of Dr. Raven; Peter was actively involved in the creation of the Danforth Center. We are very pleased to recognize the emerging success of Divergence, as the company has been an active collaborator in research in the region, including at the Danforth Center,” announced Donald Danforth Plant Science Center President Dr. Roger Beachy.

With sponsorship from A.G. Edwards, “An Evening of Exploration III,” is an interactive gala in which guests will don lab coats for a “hands-on” opportunity to use the sophisticated equipment and technology employed by Danforth Center scientists in their daily research.

About The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Founded in 1998, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a not-for-profit research institute with a global vision to improve the human condition. Research at the Danforth Center will enhance the nutritional content of plants to improve human health, increase agricultural production to create a sustainable food supply, and build scientific capacity to generate economic growth in the St. Louis region and throughout Missouri.

The Danforth Center is the product of a unique and innovative alliance joining the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the Missouri Botanical Garden, the University of Missouri-Columbia, Monsanto Company, Purdue University, and Washington University in St. Louis. Please visit www.danforthcenter.org for additional information.