Physiology and Experimental Biology 2001

    Experimental Biology 2001 was held March 31-April 4 in Orlando, FL and was a joint meeting of seven FASEB societies. This was the first meeting since 1991 that included the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) and the first meeting ever to include more than six principle-programming societies: APS, ASBMB, American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET), American Society for Investigative Pathology ASIP), American Society for Nutrition-al Sciences (ASNS), American Association of Immunologists (AAI), and American Association of Anatomists (AAA). The APS hosted six guest societies: The American Federation for Medical Research, Association of Latin American Physiological Societies, Biomedical Engineering Society, the Microcirculatory Society, Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, and the Spanish Physiological Society. 
    The meeting was a technological milestone for two reasons: it was the first meeting where all abstracts were submitted via the world wide web and the first meeting to have data projectors in every oral session room to accommodate PowerPoint presentations or the like. As can be expected with the introduction of new technology, there were a few glitches; however, overall, the meeting benefited by these additions and they will be continued at future Experimental Biology meetings.
    A total of 7,003 volunteered abstracts were submitted for presentation by the submission deadline, of which 35% (2,464) of the total abstracts submitted were sponsored by APS or its guest societies and 32% (2,219) of the total were submitted to APS topic categories. Additionally, 483 late-breaking abstracts were accepted, of which 20% (97) were from members of APS or its guest societies. Late-breaking abstracts were scheduled as posters on the last day of the meeting and printed in the program addendum. 
    Of the 2,219 abstracts programmed by APS, 27% (603) had female first authors (representing a 5% increase over EB 2000) and 25% were received from institutions outside The Americas (representing a 6% increase). Government laboratories represented 4% (85) of the abstracts programmed and only 1% (30) was from industry. Table 1 provides the departmental affiliations of the abstracts programmed by APS and indicates that 18% (401) were from departments of physiology and 3% (63) were from departments of physiology and biophysics.
    The APS programmed a total of 304 scientific sessions, including 177 poster sessions, 49 symposia, 46 featured topics, 16 lectures, five workshops, four Physiology InFocus symposia, three poster discussions, two tutorials, one refresher course, and one Public Affairs symposium. The lecture sessions included 12 Section Distinguished Lectureships, the Walter B. Cannon, Henry Bowditch, and Walter C. Randall lectures as well as The Microcirculatory Society’s Landis Award Lecture.
The two tutorials were “Experimental Gene Delivery and Therapy” chaired by Craig Gelband and Curt Sigmund and “Tissue Engineering: Opportunities and Challenges” chaired by Robert Nerem. The five workshops included “Integra-tive Approaches for the Study of Physiological Function in Genetically Altered Mice” chaired by John Lorenz and David Mattson; “How to Get Published in ASPET and APS Journals” chaired by Kim Barrett; “Peer Review and Publication of APS Journals,“ chaired by Dale Benos; “Collaborating with Industry: the Rules of the Game” chaired by Glenn Reinhart; and “Clinical Applications of Intravital Microscopy” chaired by Bruce Klitzman and Anthony Harris.
    The Physiology InFocus Program, organized by Gerald DiBona, was entitled “Neurotransmitters in Cardiovascular Regulation” and included four symposia: “Neurotransmitters in Cardiovascular Regulation: Angiotensin” chaired by Roger Dampney; “Neurotransmitters in Cardiovascular Regulation: Glutamate” chaired by Frank Gordon; “Neurotransmitters in Cardiovascular Regulation: Nitric Oxide” chaired by David Bredt; and “Neurotransmitters in Cardiovascular Regulation: GABA” chaired by Alan Sved.
    The APS Mixer was held on Saturday evening and included sumptuous desserts, dancing, and an opportunity to meet with colleagues in a relaxed, festive atmosphere. The third annual Young Experimental Scientist (Y.E.S.) Mixer, designed to enhance interaction between younger members of the participating societies, was held on Monday and was very well-attended.
    The total meeting registration was 12,876 of which 11,028 were scientific registrants. The scientific registrants were represented by 5,211 (47%) members, 121 (1%) retired members, 2,863 (26%) nonmembers, and 2,833 (26%) students. There were 1,508 exhibitors registered, 107 guests of exhibitors, 177 guests of scientists, and 56 press registrants.
    The American Physiological Society gratefully acknowledges financial support through educational grants from Taylor University, Upland, Indiana, United States Department of the Army, The Grass Foundation, Cytometrics, Inc., the William Townsend Porter Foundation, and Bayer, Inc. 

[Table of Contents] [Collaborating With Industry: The Rules of the Game] [A Matter of Opinion] [Careers] [APS News] [Section News] [Chapter News] [Education] [Membership] [ APS Committee Reports] [Experimental Biology 2002] [Public Affairs] [Sustaining Associates] [Book Reviews] [Positions Available] [People & Places] [News From Senior Physiologists ] [Announcements] [APS Membership Application] [Scientific Meetings and Congresses]