The International Symbiosis Society hosts a congress every three years at different locations. Several hundred scientists from around the globe present new research both in the form of talks and posters.
The 7th International Symbiosis Congress will convene in the historic and beautiful city of Kraków (Poland) in July 22-28, 2012.
As more information becomes available, we will post it here on this site and on the local site at http://www.eko.uj.edu.pl/symbiosis/
Hosted by one of the oldest and most prominent universities in Europe, Jagiellonian University, the meeting will welcome hundreds of researchers, educators, and students from around the world, all of whom are immersed in some aspect of symbiosis. Held every three years and organized by the International Symbiosis Society, the Congress is one of the most unique gatherings of life science research specialists in the world. As symbiotic systems encompass and even dominate many phyla and most domains and kingdoms, it is a venue wherein an expert in coral-dinoflagellates will exchange ideas, results, methods, and perspectives with a mycorrhizae or lichen specialist. Those in the vast field of insect symbioses interact with those in the legume-nitrogen fixing realm. In this sense, the term “symbiosis,” applies very well to the Congress experience, as extended exchanges, long-term relationships, and new lineages of thought emerge from this diverse human community.
While every international Society seeks to tout its selection of a meeting site, it is nevertheless hard to imagine a city and region anywhere more inviting and dynamic than Kraków and southern Poland. Established as a village in the late tenth century and despite a long history of invasions and periodic strife, Kraków has emerged as an artistic and historic treasure. Its main square is the largest medieval one in Europe. Like much of the vast but walk-able old section of Kraków, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque expressions surround the visitor in all directions. Even the twelve old, narrow streets that lead into the square are relatively car-free, with most movement being on foot and via horse drawn carriages – this lends itself well to a less noisy, less-polluted but charming atmosphere.
An intellectual hub in Europe for centuries, it is still the world of Copernicus who graduated from the University here over 400 years ago, Chopin, Karol Józef Wojtyła (Pope John Paul II), and an impressive collection of artists who led new expressionist thought at the turn into the twentieth century. Kraków has the reputation of a “fun” city in Europe, featuring hundreds of cafes and restaurants (many in the open air of course), clubs, bars, and theatres. Moreover, a wide parkland – the Planty -- completely surrounds the old town area with extensive walkways shaded with thousands of lindens, horse chestnuts, black locusts and other trees.
The lead host and organizer of the Congress is Katarzyna Turnau of the Institute for Environmental Sciences at Jagiellonian University. A distinguished member of the Polish Academy of Sciences, she and her team work on mycorrhizal symbioses. Working with faculty from other departments such as ecology, biotechnology and cytology, and in close cooperation with leadership in the International Symbiosis Society, Professor Turnau is putting together a engaging program that will contribute to the study and growth of the symbiosis field long after the Congress.
The Congress marks not only an opportunity to interact with colleagues in the many symbiosis sub-fields from many countries, but for many it is a chance to become a part of the growing International Symbiosis Society, which publishes the journal Symbiosis Indeed, membership includes a 30% discount in Congress registration fees, a very welcome benefit. (Springer Publishers).
So, please reserve these dates on your calendar for 2012: July 22 to 28, and look for program announcements, registration, travel, and accommodation details in the coming months.
Previous ISS Congresses:
2009: 6th ISS Congress: Madison, USA
2006: 5th ISS Congress: Vienna, Austria
2003: 4th ISS Congress: Halifax, Canada
Ove Hoegh-Guldberg from Queensland University, Australia) delivers the opening address on the bleaching of coral reefs.
