This travel grant (ANU5C) was in support of a postgraduate scholarship (ANU3C) granted for research into the molecular biology of gossypol biosynthesis in cotton. Gossypol is a defense chemical made by the cotton plant that is important for protection against pests and diseases. Unfortunately gossypol taints the cottonseed and is expensive to remove for oil and feed applications. The biosynthesis of gossypol is moderately characterised at the chemical level however little is known about the genes encoding key enzymes of this pathway. By understanding the molecular biology of gossypol biosynthesis we would be in a firm position to use this knowledge to manipulate the pathway for improved insect and pest tolerance as well as increasing the value of byproducts such as cottonseed