22nd IUBMB - 37th FEBS

http://www.iubmb-febs-2012.org/IUBMBFEBS2012/index.asp?item=2168
Welcome
It is both an honor and a pleasure for the Spanish Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SEBBM) to organize the 22nd IUBMB & 37th FEBS Congress in 2012. The standards of modern Spain in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology are historically high. Attesting to this fact, the SEBBM is a very active organization encompassing 21 interest groups and more than 3,700 members. SEBBM, one of FEBS founder societies, has already organized two successful FEBS meetings (1969, Madrid, and 1996, Barcelona), and now for the very first time will host this very prestigious IUBMB-FEBS Congress in Seville.

Seville, in addition to being an ancient, extremely beautiful and welcoming city, is home to a very dynamic biochemical community. The city has several research centers that belong to the National Research Council (CSIC) and/or one of the two local Universities (University of Seville and University Pablo de Olavide). University of Seville, in particular, with 60,000 students and 3,800 teachers and professors, is the second largest Spanish public institution devoted to higher education. In 2005 this University commemorated its Fifth Centenary.

The theme of the 22nd IUBMB & 37th FEBS Congress is “From Single Molecules to Systems Biology”. Based on recent spectacular advances in the "-omic" disciplines and in information technology, multidisciplinarity and integration have become the key features of post-genomic and proteomic research. Genes, gene products, their regulatory networks and their interactions with their environment must be analyzed not only at the molecular level, but also as components of higher order structures, metabolic pathways or entire cells and organisms. This branch of research, termed “Systems Biology”, combines concepts from molecular biology, engineering sciences, mathematics and information technology in a holistic approach to complex biological systems such as living cells. Hence, close collaboration between biologists, biochemists, physiologists, chemists, physicists and mathematicians is essential in order to expand the molecular studies into the characterization and modeling of the complex interactions of genes, proteins and metabolic processes. Presently, biosciences are heading for another revolution: the in-silico simulation of complex life processes.

In line with these advances the 2012 IUBMB & FEBS Congress aims to promote an integrative and holistic approach in research on biological processes. Multidisciplinarity, interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity will thus be essential characteristics of this meeting.

On behalf of the Organizing Committee it is a pleasure to invite all our colleagues to attend the 2012 IUBMB & FEBS Congress at Seville. We hope that the Congress will be a great scientific success and an enjoyable experience for all participants.

We trust that it will also offer the opportunity for fruitful discussions, as well as the possibility to initiate new friendships, collaborations and joint projects.

Miguel A. De la Rosa
Chair of the Organizing Committee

Joan J. Guinovart
Chair of the Scientific Program

Irene Díaz-Moreno
Scientific Secretary