On 19 May 2008, two distinguished Professors, Barry P Rosen and Andy Meharg from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, USA and School of Biological Science, University of Aberdeen, UK respectively paid a visit to the Institute of Urban Environment, CAS. Prof. Roson presented a report on “Mechanisms of Arsenic Uptake and Detoxification” and Professor Meharg presented a report on “Arsenic in Rice: A World Crisis?”. The guests had a comprehensive discussion with staff and graduate students of IUE and visited the main laboratories after the presentation.