The 2014 conference will focus on decision-making mechanisms of plants that enable changes in developmental fate or acclimation to biotic or abiotic stress. The conference focus is on quantitative biology and the scope encompasses the elucidation of information pathways articulated as networks or models, with an emphasis on cross-talk between pathways. The conference will include decision-making mechanisms that utilize DNA, RNA, protein, or metabolites. Presentations on translational biology will highlight applications of pathway knowledge to the solution of practical problems. The invited speakers are at the forefront of their fields and 40% of the speaking slots have been reserved for applicants with the most compelling abstracts. The conference will maintain the tradition of broadly covering the most exciting advances in plant molecular biology while providing opportunities for junior scientists and graduate students to interact formally and informally with leaders in the field. Many collaborations have originated in the evening social sessions of this conference. We have an outstanding venue in the White Mountains of New Hampshire with excellent food/drink plus opportunities for swimming and hiking in the afternoons.