Welcome

The British Societykins of le for Developmental Biology is excited to host the next International Society of Developmental Biologists Congress, in 2009. The location will be the world-leading Edinburgh International Conference Centre; this follows 2005 in Sydney and 2001 in Kyoto. The 2009 Congress will showcase the best bioscientists in the world, and the location in Edinburgh, Scotland's famous and beautiful capital city, will make this a memorable Congress.

The programme for the ISDB 2009 Congress will represent the state of the art in developmental biology. Beyond the core topics of the field, features will include a spotlight on stem cells and the medical implications of developmental biology. There will also be an emphasis on the genetics and cell biology of development, and to this end, the British Society for Cell Biology and the Genetics Society will both host symposia as part of the main programme of events.

This meeting is particularly timely, since 2009 will be a landmark year in the world biosciences community: it is the bicentenary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of the publication of “On the Origin of Species”. Special symposia will celebrate these anniversaries.

To ensure that our ambitious goals are achieved, a National Programme Committee is working with an International Advisory Committee of the world's leading developmental biologists. We are very pleased to announce a spectacular list of currently accepted speakers, which will be regularly updated.

A high profile trade exhibition will be fully integrated into the programme and the venue. There are also excellent opportunities for other kinds of sponsorship and the organisers will be happy to work with your company to maximise the impact of your message.
Mark the dates of the Congress in your diary now. The Congress directly follows the world famous Edinburgh Arts Festival – why not come to both? Finally, don’t hesitate to contact In Conference, the professional organisers, or me personally if you have questions. I look forward to seeing you in Edinburgh!