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Talk:MiP2012

From Bioblast

To the Executive MiPcommittee

2010-10-31

First circular to Executive MiPcommittee:

During MiP2010 we had good discussions on future MiP Conferences beyond MiP2011 (Bordeaux; Rodrigue) and MiP2013 (10 years MiP). William Stanley mentioned a possibility to organize a small MiP Conference on the US East Coast (perhaps 2012 or later).

During the O2k-Workshop after MiP2010, another phantastic possibility emerged for 2012. Dr Makhosazane Zungu (University of KwaZulu Natal, ZA; Cc to Makhosi: [email protected]) learned about MiP2010 too late for registration, and decided at this stage to participate in the satellite O2k-Workshop IOC59.

Makhosi is a cardiac scientist, spending now a few years in the US. Highly motivated to organize MiP2012 in South Africa, she has contacted Prof Faadiel Essop (Stellenbosch University), writing: "It will be the first Mitochondrial Physiology conference on the African continent and I really think that we should seize this unique opportunity. I will still be in the US then, but I am totally committed to this initiative and I know that with individuals such as yourself on board this would be a phenomenal success."

The reply by Prof Essop ([email protected]) to Makhosi was entirely encouraging: "I would be delighted to help organize this wonderful meeting with you all."

"MiP2012 - out of Africa" might be an exciting possibility for the MiPsociety to take the lead with colleagues in Africa, to extend our international scope, and to initiate collaborations. Please, let me know if you have further suggestions, including contacts to colleagues in Africa.

May I ask you to reply quickly with information on three points, on the basis of which there will be a 2nd circular to the entire Scientific Advisory MiPboard:

(1) Are you in favour of "MiP2012 - Out of Africa": (Yes / No) (2) Do you join the 'initial team' for MiP2012: (Yes / No) (3) Dates in 2012 (see MiPcalendar) which we should strictly avoid: No-dates: ...

Many thanks for your feedback,

--Erich

ps: We can discuss (Vilma, Chuck) further details in Katra, India at ICMRM-2010 in less than two weeks (see link).

Response

Flemming Dela: This sounds very interesting. Perhaps we should have the organizer come up with a more detailed bid, before we decide.

  1. In favour of "MiP2012 - Out of Africa": Yes
  2. Join the 'initial team' for MiP2012: Yes
  3. Dates in 2012: Canโ€™t really say by now, but generally end of January/beginning of February + late June + late August are best for me.

Guy Brown: That sounds great to me! Do make sure they are aware they are not going to get any funding from the MiPsociety. Are there sufficient MiP scientists in South Africa? Is there going to be a MiP in South America that year? Would they rather do a MiP summer school than conference? If I am going to do summer school, best not be easter, presumably best in winter? Best wishes Guy

Rodrigue Rossignol: Great idea ! Many thanks to Dr Makhosazane Zungu and Prof Essop for this initiative. Sincerely Rodrigue

Steven Hand: I certainly agree that extending the international scope of MiP is highly appropriate. In terms of scheduling, yes, the odd-year MiP Conferences supported by FEBS are excellent, and that they necessarily will be held in Europe is also fully expected due to the source of funding. Originally, summer schools were planned to be held every other year (alternating with MiP Conferences), but now summer schools have been held annually for multiple cycles as we know. The every-year scheduling of summer schools apparently will continue. To me, summer schools every year [and even TWO summer schools potentially in 2011 (Copenhagen and Brazil?)] seems very ambitious. Now, to plan MiP Conferences in other countries (e.g., Africa) in even years potentially could exaust the organization capacities of MiP. As Guy points out, certainly there is no MiP funding for the event. Why not consider the possibility of having the MiPevent in Africa be a smaller Workshop? Please do not interpret these comments as any lack of enthusiasm, but rather as a voice in support of scheduling consistency and 'doability' as to what our society might actually manage. 'Out of Africa' is definitely an exciting concept, and my complements to the scientists who are willing to serve as local organizers. Speaking personally for my own lab, I cannot, regretably, participate in all of the expanding MiP events. As you know, mitochondrial physiology is only one thrust of my group (certainly I am not unique in this). Thus non-MiP meetings with different foci are also important to serve the needs of my graduate students/research associates, some of whom are conducting non-mitochondrial projects. There is only so much travel funding, travel time, and organizational time to go around.

Vilma Borutaite: MiP in South Africa sounds very attractive.

  1. In favour of "MiP2012 - Out of Africa": Yes
  2. Join the 'initial team' for MiP2012: Yes. Though it might be difficult to get travel grants to attend the meeting.
  3. Dates in 2012: Definitely we should evoid overlaping with EBEC and UMDF meeting.

Some general comments

A short historical overview of MiPevents is given on pp. 13-14 of the MiP2010 proceedings (see also MiP2005). MiPconferences have been small without parallel sessions (<200 participants; workshops with <100 participants are fine, too), included sufficient time for walks and talks, emphasized the participation of students and young investigators (including a large fraction of oral presentations by young investigators), considered gender issues in general and for chair persons in particular, and all oral presentations adhere to the 10+5 min time format. These may be considered as 'fixed' features. Several MiPconferences have been held in secluded locations (2003, 2005, 2007 and 2010) providing a personal atmosphere with limited distractions. The usual time of the year was September. The choice of location and date are clearly up to the local organizers. MiP2011 will be organized by Rodrigue in the seculded centre of the citiy of Bordeaux.

We aim at a biannual FEBS support, applying for a FEBS Conference for MiP2013, and would then have biannual MiPconferences after 2011 in Europe (FEBS). This requires MiPevents in other continents to be held in even years.

MiP2012 in South Africa should be a conference, while we might organize a MiPsummer School in Brazil, which will be discussed at IOC60.

--Erich

The beginning

2010-10-07

Dear Prof Faadiel Essop

I have just arrived from the IOC59 O2k-Oroboros Workshop that was held in Obergurgl, Austria. What a unique opportunity that was! Most importantly, it was held as a satellite workshop to the Mitochondrial Physiology Meeting (MiP2010) entitled "Mitochondrial Physiology: The Many Functions of the Organism in Our Cells. Prof Erich Gnaiger, who is a prolific researcher in Mitochondrial Physiology is the conference/workshop organizer and chairperson. A unique opportunity presented itself, as I was the first ever participant from Africa to attend the IOC59 workshop that I should organize the MiP2012 in South Africa. It will be the first Mitochondrial Physiology conference on the African continent and I really think that we should seize this unique opportunity. I will still be in the US then, but I am totally committed to this initiative and I know that with individuals such as yourself on board this would be a phenomenal success. You are the first person to formally receive the news and soon I will break the news to Prof Lionel Opie and the Cape Town Hatter Heart Research Institute team.

PS: I will send you the abstract book of MiP2010 by mail and guess who also attended the conference..Prof William Stanley, and wait there's more. Erich Gnaiger also collaborates with Prof Clemens Furnsiin of the University of Vienna..Remember him? The gentleman who helped us with mitochondrial respiration calculations when we 'd just started the mitochondrial work in 2006 on the acute effects of fenofibrate/Wy14,643 paper Mitochondrion 6: 315-322. It's a small world indeed!

I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this initiative.

Best,

Makhosi

Dr Makhosi Zungu, (PhD (Medicine),UCT) Cardiac Scientist and Biochemist Discipline of Human Physiology University of KwaZulu Natal P/BagX54001 Durban 4000 Tel: +27 31 2607473 Fax: +27 31 2607132

2010-10-08

Dear Dr Zungu

Many thanks for your kind invite re MiP2012 meeting. I would be delighted to help organize this wonderful meeting with you all. I would suggest an initial team of Prof Gnaiger & other representatives from his side together with yourself & myself. We can co-opt additional members as we gain steam.

Let me know what else need to be done.

Kind regards

Faadiel Essop

Prof. M. Faadiel Essop Head: Dept. Physiological Sciences Stellenbosch University Mike De Vries Building Merriman Avenue Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa Tel: 27 21 808 3146 Fax: 27 21 808 3145 http://academic.sun.ac.za/physiolsciences