The Golden Anniversary of the Society of Protozoologists (1947-1997)1

ABSTRACT The history of the Society of Protozoologists is traced from its birth, half a century ago, to the present time. Emphasis is placed on events of the formative years, since data from the scattered records and memories of those times need to be assembled in one place before they are entirely forgotten or “misremembered.” As is true in the establishment of any new association, the people involved are responsible for its later success. Thus tribute is especially paid to the original founding fathers and the early charter members who worked so hard and so unselfishly to assure the permanence—and long—lasting usefulness-of their Society in a specialized branch of biology. An obvious value of a new scientific organization lies in its production of a scholarly journal. In the present case, such a publication was launched early, and it rapidly became known worldwide as a protozoological research outlet of the highest quality. The aims and goals of the founders seem to have been well met over the past 50 years, but the international Society of Protozoologists faces new challenges and obligations in the years ahead.     

Highlights of the XXI annual meeting of the Brazilian Society of Protozoology, the XXXII annual meeting on Basic Research in Chagas' disease & an international symposium on vesicle trafficking in parasitic Protozoa – 7 to 9 November 2005, Caxambu, Minas Gerais, Brazil

This report focuses on the 2005 Annual meeting held in Caxambu, Minas Gerais, Brazil that was convened and organized by the Brazilian Society of Protozoology . This is an annual event and details of these meetings can be found on the Society's website. Within the space available it has been impossible to cover all the important and fascinating contributions and what is presented are our personal views of the meetings scientific highlights and new developments. The contents undoubtedly reflect each author's scientific interests and expertise. Fuller details of the round tables, seminars and posters can be consulted on line at .     

Adaptation and functional water management through land use change

The International Landscape Ecology Conference on “Landscape Structures, Functions and Management: Response to Global Ecological Change” hosted by the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno and the Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague (Czech Republic) in association with the Czech regional chapter of the International Association for Landscape Ecology (CZ-IALE), and supported by the Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic, was held from September 3–7, 2010 in Brno, Czech Republic. At 9 parallel symposia of this meeting, 107 oral presentations (including 10 keynote speeches) and 64 posters by representatives from 19 countries were presented. The primary goals of the conference were to provide a forum for the dissemination and discussion of recent research findings, to explore future directions for water management at the landscape level and to foster interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers of all ages and from many countries. This editorial briefly describes the conference, which served as the source of the selected papers, and explains the main aspects of these papers. It highlights papers on issues related to water management under changing climate and land use at landscape and watershed levels, presented mostly at the session on functional water management through land use change.     

First International Conference on “Biotechnology in Agriculture”

The 1st International Conference on “Biotechnology in Agriculture” was held at the Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania, from the 22nd to the 23rd of April 2014. The conference was organized as collaboration between the Agricultural University of Tirana (AUT) and the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, Germany. About 200 scientists from different countries presented their work orally or as posters covering the three main topics of the conference: plant, animal and food biotechnology. The conference included a field trip as well to the Experimental Didactic Economy Station and a Fish Farm, both belonging to the Agricultural University of Tirana. In this report, we describe the main topics of the Conference and a summary of talks and posters presented in different sessions. The main conclusions provided at the end of the activity, the objectives for the future and a brief overview of the field trips and pre- and post-conference tours are displayed in this current report. Since the conference on “Biotechnology in Agriculture” was the first one organized in Albania and also an international one, it was of a great interest for the participants and also for the scientific community working in the biotechnology area. Therefore, one of the decisions made at the end of the conference was to hold similar conferences periodically, every two years, at AUT.     

Reflections on the golden anniversary of the first embryo transfer to produce a calf

In the belief that the vitality of a discipline benefits from a knowledge of its roots, events surrounding the first embryo transfer to produce a live calf (by Willett and his colleagues in Wisconsin fifty years ago) have been reviewed. That first success is discussed in the context of those times (including a brief review of the first international conference on embryo transfer, held in Texas in 1949) and in relation to subsequent events that led to the founding of the International Embryo Transfer Society in 1974.     

2009 Society for Medical Anthropology Conference: Reflections on the Future of Anthropology

In his plenary session entitled Five Questions on the Future, Harvard anthropologist Arthur Kleinman capitalized on the 2009 Society for Medical Anthropology Conference’s theme of Medical Anthropology at the Intersections to speculate on the future of the discipline.As he reflects on the field of anthropology, which had lacked theory, ethnography, and strong ties to public health and medicine, Harvard anthropologist Arthur Kleinman celebrates the accomplishments made by his contemporaries by saying, “My generation has made medical anthropology what it is today.” However, he is now looking to the future of the discipline, saying it must re-examine itself as a field.During the 2009 Society for Medical Anthropology Conference at Yale University, Kleinman capitalized on the theme of Medical Anthropology at the Intersections in his plenary session entitled Five Questions on the Future. Casting the conference itself as a kind of intersection, Kleinman not only lauded its size and diversity, but asserted that it marked a pivotal moment in which medical anthropology must re-evaluate its central questions.     

"The branches into which bacteriology is now ramifying" revisited

The American Society for Microbiology was originally founded in 1899 as the Society of American Bacteriologists. The transition from "bacteriology" to "microbiology" and from an emphasis on the identity of the membership (bacteriologists) to an emphasis on the discipline (microbiology) was a contentious one that occurred in several steps. This article reviews the history and events that accompanied this development.     

Epigenetics,Eh!: A meeting summary of the Canadian Conference on Epigenetics

In May 2011, the Canadian Conference on Epigenetics: Epigenetics Eh! was held in London, Canada. The objectives of this conference were to showcase the breadth of epigenetic research on environment and health across Canada and to provide the catalyst to develop collaborative Canadian epigenetic research opportunities, similar to existing international epigenetic initiatives in the US and Europe. With ten platform sessions and two sessions with over 100 poster presentations, this conference featured cutting-edge epigenetic research, presented by Canadian and international principal investigators and their trainees in the field of epigenetics and chromatin dynamics. An EpigenART competition included ten artists, creating a unique opportunity for artists and scientists to interact and explore their individual interpretations of this scientific discipline. The conference provided a unique venue for a significant cross-section of Canadian epigenetic researchers from diverse disciplines to meet, interact, collaborate and strategize at the national level.     

A preliminary biography of Armand de Ricqlès (1938–), the great synthesizer of bone histology

Armand de Ricqlès has had a long, successful career. From his start as an Assistant in the University of Paris in 1961, he defended his doctoral thesis in 1963, became Maître-Assistant (Assistant Professor) in 1970 (tenured 1971), defended his “doctorat d’état” (habilitation thesis) in 1973, was nominated Professor in the University Paris 7, was promoted to first class (Full Professor) in 1987, and was finally nominated to the prestigious chair “Biologie Historique et Évolutionnisme” (Historical and Evolutionary Biology) of the Collège de France in 1996. He lectured on a wide range of topics, especially in comparative and evolutionary biology, and assumed important administrative responsibilities, including responsibility of various master's programs, leadership of the team “Formations squelettiques” (1973–2002; till Professor Jacques Castanet took over leadership of the team), involvement in various committees, and in organizing scientific meetings. He served on several editorial committees and was co-editor of the “Annales des Sciences Naturelles”, as well as co-editor-in-chief of the “Comptes Rendus Palevol”. His scientific research always emphasized bone histology, especially paleohistology, but he also made contributions to systematic paleontology, phylogenetics, history of paleontology, and biological nomenclature, in decreasing order of importance. He has so far published over 100 scientific papers and 120 semi-popular papers.     

Epigenetics, eh! A meeting summary of the Canadian Conference on Epigenetics

In May 2011, the Canadian Conference on Epigenetics: Epigenetics Eh! was held in London, Canada. The objectives of this conference were to showcase the breadth of epigenetic research on environment and health across Canada and to provide the catalyst to develop collaborative Canadian epigenetic research opportunities, similar to existing international epigenetic initiatives in the US and Europe. With ten platform sessions and two sessions with over 100 poster presentations, this conference featured cutting-edge epigenetic research, presented by Canadian and international principal investigators and their trainees in the field of epigenetics and chromatin dynamics. An EpigenART competition included ten artists, creating a unique opportunity for artists and scientists to interact and explore their individual interpretations of this scientific discipline. The conference provided a unique venue for a significant cross-section of Canadian epigenetic researchers from diverse disciplines to meet, interact, collaborate and strategize at the national level.     

From Proteomics Research To Clinical Practice

The third International Conference of the Hellenic Proteomics Society, From Proteomics Research to Clinical Practice, took place in Nafplio (Greece), from 30 March to 1 April 2009. This year the conference was dedicated to the application of proteomics in clinical practice. Many scientists from different European counties participated in the conference, which made this event unique in the field of proteomics for the southeastern region of Europe. Extensive presentations and discussions covered nearly every aspect of the modern point of view regarding the application of proteomics in various diseases, the quantitative peptidomics and proteomics approaches, and the advances of methodologies for biomarker discovery and validation.     

The Lens of Science: Anthropometric Photography and the Chippewa, 1890–1920

ABSTRACT

Nineteenth-century anthropologists struggled to establish themselves as scientists in a cultural milieu of enthusiasm for “curiosities.” Because commercial photographers appropriated the “authenticity” of photographic realism, the need increased for ethnographic photographers to distinguish between such realism and the “scientific authority” of their own visual productions. Through a case study of anthropometric photography of the Chippewa, this article examines the tension between, on the one hand, ethnographers' exploitation of the technological and symbolic attributes of photography to promote the scientific and political goals of the discipline, and on the other hand, the influence and function of visual genres and visual allegories in conditioning and framing what viewers accepted as “real” and “true.”     

Validating concepts of mental disorder: precedents from the history of science

A fundamental issue in any branch of the natural sciences is validating the basic concepts for use in that branch. In psychiatry, this issue has not yet been resolved, and indeed, the proper nature of the problem has scarcely been recognised. As a result, psychiatry (or at least those parts of the discipline which aspire to scientific status) still cannot claim to be a part of scientific medicine, or to be incorporated within the common language of the natural sciences. While this creates difficulties within the discipline, and its standing in relation to other branches of medicine, it makes it an exciting place for “frontiersmen” (and women). This is one of the key growing points in the natural science tradition. In this essay, which moves from the early history of that tradition to today’s debates in scientific psychiatry, I give my views about how these fundamental issues can move towards resolution.     

Science and Restoration Under a Big, Demon Haunted Tent: Reply to Giardina et al. (2007)

In a recent editorial, I discussed how the culture of science, heterogeneity of nature, and real‐world human complexities can limit the practical relevance of formal scientific research and argued that less formal approaches might often be more efficient and effective. Giardina et al. criticized this editorial and argued that formal science has and increasingly will play a central role in ecological restoration in particular and human progress in general. Here, I respond to these arguments and expand upon the ideas presented in my previous editorial. I further illustrate how despite superficial appearances the utilitarian value of formal science may often be largely indirect. I also argue that the complexities of ecological and human systems combined with the subjective values and political beliefs underlying restoration make transforming this discipline into a unified “hard science” virtually impossible. Because values and politics also underlie most environmental conflicts, and scientific inquiry is inherently unsuitable for resolving these kinds of disputes, the future success of restoration may depend more on political support than scientific progress. Dogmatic, nonfalsifiable faith in the universal superiority of “rigorous” scientific knowledge and methodologies can foster arrogance and intolerance and blind us to the ephemeral nature of scientific “truths” and the double‐edged sword of scientific “progress.” My hope is that Society for Ecological Restoration International (SERI) will remain a big inclusive tent that embraces a healthy diversity of foci and approaches that emulate the extraordinary diversity we find within the natural ecosystems and human cultures we strive to preserve, restore, and reconnect.     

Report on the 1st International Conference of the Hellenic Proteomics Society in Athens, Greece

The First International Conference of the Hellenic Proteomics Society took place at the Foundation for Biomedical Research of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece, 22-25 May 2005. Scientists from about 20 countries attended this conference where proceedings in proteomics methodologies, advances in mass spectrometry, proteomics applications, disease diagnostics and bioinformatics were presented. The relatively small size of the meeting gave the opportunity for the attendees to interact and discuss projects and collaborations. The event was completely financed by companies which exhibited their products and services related to proteomics research.     

International conference on “Photosynthesis research for sustainability-2013: in honor of Jalal A. Aliyev”, held during June 5–9, 2013, Baku, Azerbaijan

In this brief report, we provide a pictorial essay on an international conference “Photosynthesis Research for Sustainability-2013 in honor of Jalal A. Aliyev” that was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, during June 5–9, 2013 (http://photosynthesis2013.cellreg.org/). We begin this report with a brief note on Jalal Aliyev, the honored scientist, and on John Walker (1997 Nobel laureate in Chemistry) who was a distinguished guest and lecturer at the Conference. We briefly describe the Conference, and the program. In addition to the excellent scientific program, a special feature of the Conference was the presentation of awards to nine outstanding young investigators; they are recognized in this report. We have also included several photographs to show the pleasant ambience at this conference. (See http://photosynthesis2013.cellreg.org/Photo-Gallery.php; https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qcr124dajwffwh6/TlcHBvFu4H?m; and https://www.copy.com/s/UDlxb9fgFXG9/Baku for more photographs taken by the authors as well as by others.) We invite the readers to the next conferences on “Photosynthesis Research for Sustainability—2014: in honor of Vladimir A. Shuvalov” to be held during June 2–7, 2014, in Pushchino, Russia. Detailed information for this will be posted at the Website: http://photosynthesis2014.cellreg.org/, and for the subsequent conference on “Photosynthesis Research for Sustainability—2015” to be held in May or June 2015, in Baku, Azerbaijan, at http://photosynthesis2015.cellreg.org/.     

Barcelona conference on epigenetics and cancer 2016 – beyond cancer genomes

The Barcelona Conference on Epigenetics and Cancer (BCEC) entitled “Beyond Cancer Genomes” took place October 13^th and 14^th 2016 in Barcelona. The 2016 BCEC was the fourth edition of a series of annual conferences coordinated by Marcus Buschbeck and subsequently organized by leading research centers in Barcelona together with B?DEBATE, a joint initiative of BIOCAT and “La Caixa” Foundation. Salvador Aznar-Benitah, Eduard Batlle, and Raúl Méndez from the Institute for Research in Biomedicine in Barcelona selected the 2016 BCEC panel of speakers. As the title indicates, this year's conference expanded the epigenetic focus to include additional cancer-relevant topics, such as tumor heterogeneity and RNA regulation. Methods to develop therapeutic approaches on the basis of novel insights have been discussed in great detail. The conference has attracted 217 participants from 11 countries.     

First Barcelona Conference on Epigenetics and Cancer

The Barcelona Conference on Epigenetics and Cancer (BCEC) entitled “Challenges, opportunities and perspectives” took place November 21–22, 2013 in Barcelona. The 2013 BCEC is the first edition of a series of annual conferences jointly organized by five leading research centers in Barcelona. These centers are the Institute of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer (IMPPC), the Biomedical Campus Bellvitge with its Program of Epigenetics and Cancer Biology (PEBC), the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), the Institute for Biomedical Research (IRB), and the Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona (IBMB). Manuel Perucho and Marcus Buschbeck from the Institute of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer put together the scientific program of the first conference broadly covering all aspects of epigenetic research ranging from fundamental molecular research to drug and biomarker development and clinical application. In one and a half days, 23 talks and 50 posters were presented to a completely booked out audience counting 270 participants.     

Marine scientific research under emerging ocean law

Abstract

The traditional “fifth freedom”; of the high seas—freedom of scientific research—has been considerably eroded by recent coastal state claims to 200‐mile offshore zones. Insofar as these claims include competence to regulate marine scientific research, they are about to be endorsed in the adoption of a new Law of the Sea Convention by the Third U.N. Conference on the Law of the Sea. The author assesses the significance of the claims and examines the features of the “consent regime”; established through the negotiations at the Conference.