Invitation
International Conference on Structural Genomics
International Structural Genomics Organisation (ISGO)
Thursday, October 10 – Sunday, October 13, 2002
Max Delbrück Communications Center (MDC.C)
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
Colleagues,
Only five years ago the term did not even exist. Today it marks the start of a new era: „Structural Genomics“. This new field is now at the forefront of research but not into the structure of the genome as the name suggests. Instead researchers want to decipher the structure of proteins, a task as immense as unlocking the genome. Protein researchers want to analyze all proteins (the proteome), including those of model organisms (bacteria, yeasts, parasites, plants), the mouse and man himself. Proteins, the building plans for which are contained in the genes, are essential materials for the creation and functioning of life itself. They want to investigate the structure of proteins in order to be able to identify their function. They have targetted those proteins that are involved in infectious diseases, cancer, Alzheimer’s or mad cow disease. They hope that the results of such investigations will stimulate the development of new drugs for the highly specific treatment of diseases.
Presentation of the first research results from national and international research projects
In the last few years several research programs for the structural and functional analysis of proteins, have been started, in particular, in the USA, Asia and Europe – including, in Germany, the Berlin Proteinstrukturfabrik (protein structure factory). The results of these national and international projects will be presented for the first time in October this year at the International Conference of the International Structural Genomics Organisation (ISGO) in the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Berlin-Buch. I would like to cordially invite you to attend the
„International Conference on Structural Genomics“
International Structural Genomics Organisation (ISGO)
Thursday, October 10 – Sunday, October 13, 2002
Max Delbrück Communications Center (MDC.C)
Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin, FRG
Other topics to be discussed in Berlin-Buch include high-throughput techniques – these are needed for the genetic copying of proteins, in order to provide sufficient material for structural analysis with X-ray crystallography and magnetic resonance spectroscopy – as well as international collaborations. About 400 internationally renowned researchers from the USA, Australia, Israel, Japan and many European countries are expected to attend, including the German Nobel Prize winner, Prof. Robert Huber (Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried). He will give the opening address.
The „International Structural Genomics Organisation (ISGO)“ has been formed by protein researchers last year. As one of its aims, the organisation has decided to develop a set of standards for structural analysis as well as discussing questions about the publication of structures (timing) and patenting. The forerunner to the Berlin congress was held in November 2000 in Yokohama/Japan.
The conference in Berlin-Buch is being supported by the Federal Research Ministry, the European Commission (SPINE Network), the US National Institutes of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) and the MDC. The organisers include Prof. Udo Heinemann (MDC and the Free University of Berlin, spokesman for the Proteinstrukturfabrik and representative of the European section of ISGO), Prof. Thomas C. Terwilliger (Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos/USA and spokesman for the North American section of the ISGO), Prof. Shigeyuki Yokomaya (Riken Genomic Sciences Center, Yokohama/Japan and spokesman for the Asiatic section of the ISGO).
"Crossing-Over, A Metasystem of Genes and Arts" – Art exhibition in the foyer of the MDC.C
In the foyer of the MDC.C, the exhibition "Crossing-Over, A Metasystem of Genes and Arts" with works by the Bensberg artist, Karsten K. Panzer PerZan will be presented from Monday, September 23 - Sunday, October 13, 2002.
Opening hours at the MDC.C: Mon.-Fri. 09.00 am - 06.00 pm, Sat. - Sun. closed
Reception: Thursday, October 10, 07.00 pm
During this period, other work by this artist is on view at the Galerie Künstlerhof Buch, Academy of Arts in Berlin-Buch, Alt Buch 45-51.
Exhibition opens: Friday, September 20, 07.30 pm ; it will end on Sunday, October 13
Opening hours at the Künstlerhof: Tue.-Fri., 03.00 am to 07.00 pm; Sat. +Sun. 11.00 am to 07.00 pm (closed on Mondays).
Entry to both exhibitions is free.
Structural Genomics - Announcement, Hotel and Conference Program
Attached you will find the congress program, which you can also obtain via internet at http://www.proteinstrukturfabrik.de/ICSG2002/, as well as general maps of Berlin, a plan of the campus, directions and an application form for the congress, which we kindly ask you to complete and send to Brigitte Buntrock, Press Office, MDC.
If
you require a hotel in
I would be delighted to have the opportunity to welcome you to this very interesting congress in Berlin.
Yours sincerely
Barbara Bachtler
Pressestelle
Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin (MDC) Berlin-Buch
Robert-Rössle-Straße 10
13125 Berlin
Barbara Bachtler
Tel: 030/94 06 - 38 96
Fax: 030/94 06 - 38 33
e-mail: presse@mdc-berlin.de
http://www.mdc-berlin.de/ueber_das_mdc/presse/index.htm