ISCCB

About ISCCB

The International Symposium on Chromaffin Cell Biology - A Conference Series on Chromaffin Cells and Beyond

The International Symposium on Chromaffin Cell Biology is a conference series that is run by a group of about 300 scientists worldwide, who meet every 2 years since the first symposium that was held in 1982 on the island Ibiza in Spain, where about a hundred researchers from around the world met for one week, to discuss neurochemical, neurophysiological, neuropharmacological and clinical aspects of the biology of adrenal chromaffin cells. The meeting was such an outstanding success that the Advisory Board decided that is should be held biennially in different countries. The total attendance of ISCCBs has typically ranged between 120 and 180 scientists from Europe, Asia, North & South America, Japan, China and Australia. Usually, more than 60% of the participants are young scientists; invited speakers thus include early career researchers as well as established researchers. Specific sessions highlight the pioneering use of the latest technological advances by young scientists and provide them with a unique platform to present their work to established researchers, foster new collaborations and inspire the next generation of scientists.

Adrenal chromaffin cells are perhaps best known for their role in the Fight-or-Flight response and stress signaling. However, they have also been employed for many years to study general principles of cellular function from ion channels, receptors, cellular signaling and cytoskeleton to membrane fusion and neurotransmitter release. They enabled the most advanced techniques to study the function of neuronal cells, including caged calcium stimulation combined with patch-clamp capacitance measurements or amperometric electrode arrays combined with total internal reflection microscopy.

In this conference series the topics include not only studies on chromaffin cells but also related research including exo/endocytosis, synaptic transmission, vesicle fusion machinery and mechanisms, vesicular contents, ion channels, innovative techniques etc. in other cell types from neurons to the immune system as well as <i>in vitro</i> and computational studies. Exciting new discoveries on molecular interactions and cellular function on the nanoscale are presented and students are introduced to the most recent advances in innovative technologies, biochemistry of signaling pathways and protein interactions in cellular function.

Previous ISCCB meetings:

1982 Ibiza, Spain

1984 Colmar, France

1986 Coolfont, West Virginia, USA

1987 Alice Springs, Australia

1989 Jerusalem, Israel

1991 Marburg, Germany

1995 Edinburgh, Scotland

1997 Sapporo, Japan

1999 Bergen, Norway

2001 San Diego, California, US

2003 La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain