Dear colleagues:
ICCBM12, the 12th International Conference on the Crystallization of Biological Macromolecules, will be held from 6th to 9th of May 2008 in Cancun, Mexico. The conference will be preceded by the associated crystallization workshop which is almost ready in academic and potential venue (Hotel Hilton, the same venue for the ICCBM12). Please, visit our website for more details about the final program at www.iccbm12.com.mx.
Since ICCBM01 to 11, much progress has been made in macromolecular crystallization research. The demand for crystals for the study of biological structures nevertheless continues to increase. Genomic and Proteomic projects have begun the transition into a structural proteomics phase, supported by various approaches, including high throughput, microfluidics for protein crystal growth (PCG). Clearly, structural genomics has made great strides in increasing our understanding of biological structure, but the overall success rate of PCG, even in genomic projects, remains distressingly and unacceptably low.
Members of IOBCr (International Organization of Biological Crystallization) and members of the program committee of the ICCBM12 generally agree that ICCBM conferences have contributed significantly to the knowledge of protein crystal growth processes. It is important that progress be made in both an increased understanding of PCG mechanisms and the development of better and novel crystal growth methods. Biological crystallization continues to be a major limiting step in structural biology. The only means of making fundamental improvements is through advances in our understanding of PCG processes. We must urge our colleagues and partners to join us in a concerted effort to support the case that more PCG studies are necessary and should be given the highest priority.
Efforts will be made to facilitate University-Industry or University-Research Centers world-wide collaborations and special sessions will be devoted to this end. The organizing committee is delighted to receive many suggestions for interesting topics and speakers, and the list will be announced soon at www.iccbm12.com.mx. Especially noteworthy is that the previous ten ICCBM conferences were summarized by Drs. A. McPherson and R. Giegé (during the ICCBM11 held in Quebec, Canada in 2006), who have participated in all of these conferences.
The venue of the ICCBM12 as well as the Workshop will be the Hotel Hilton Cancun Golf & Spa Resort. Let me inform you that the ICCBM12 organizing committee is doing its best to provide free accommodation for students or attendees, who will be awarded because of their high quality contributions to WORSHOP or to the ICCBM12. We are working on the search for sponsorship to provide young scientist awards in collaboration with our industrial partners and sponsors. Finally, please do not forget to make your registration in advance, this is important to help us in the organization procedures to have a great conference.
TO ALL OUR SPONSORS, PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF GETTING A SPACE ON OUR BANNER AREA (AND BEING A PREMIUM SPONSOR). THIS WILL HELP MANY STUDENTS/POSDOCS TO COME TO OUR CONFERENCE.
I hope to see you soon in our ICCBM12, this will be a great scientific and cultural experience in the land of the Mayans located the Southern part of the Mexican Republic.
Sincerely yours,
Prof. Dr. Abel MORENO
Chairman of the ICCBM12
Member of the IOBCr Board
To contact Dr. MORENO, please refer to contact section.
