Welcome

The British Society for Developmental Biology is excited to be hosting the 16th International Society of Developmental Biologists Congress, in 2009. The 2009 Congress will highlight the best of world developmental biology, and the location in Edinburgh, Scotland's famous and beautiful capital city, should make this a memorable conference. The Congress directly follows the world famous Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe – why not arrive a few days early and attend both?

Elsewhere in this website  you will see the programme and the outstanding list of international scientists who are speaking. You will also find practical information and details of other features of the meeting. These include the workshops on Tuesday afternoon - one on organogenesis, one with a stellar list of top editors on practical aspects of getting your paper published, and the graduate student symposium, which will feature the presentation of the Beddington medal for the best UK PhD in developmental biology.

During the meeting two other major prizes will be awarded: the Waddington medal of the BSDB and the Ross Harrison Prize of the ISDB. The recipients are secret until announced at the prizegivings!

I would like thank all our sponsors and exhibitors for their generous support. Without their help it would not be possible to hold the Congress and we owe them much gratitude. More practically, we should take advantage of their presence. These companies underpin much of the research we do and many have brought their latest products. You have a great opportunity at the Congress to visit them and make sure your work is at the cutting edge.

I look forward to meeting you during the Congress.

Matthew Freeman
Chairman of the Organising Committee

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