Meetings Timetable

The ISCCB meets every two years to review progress in the field of chromaffin cell biology. The chromaffin cell from the adrenal medulla is probably the most studied neuroendocrine cell in the body. There are many reasons for that. They constitute simple model of stress-transducing neuronal synapse. Neurotransmitters and modulators are released from these cells by exocytosis, a mechanism that was first documented in great detail in chromaffin cells. Chromaffin cell can be obtained in pure form and in numbers sufficient for biochemical physiological and proteomic studies. Since chromaffin cells in culture can differentiate into sympathetic neurons, they constitute a useful model for neuronal differentiation. PC12 cells a cell line closely related to the chromaffin cell, has been used for many years model in cell signaling across many fields and specialties of biomedical research.

On this occasion, the symposium will be held in Mérida, the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán, located in the northwest part of the Yucatán Peninsula and about 35 km from the Gulf of Mexico coast. Founded in 1542 by Francisco de Montejo, Mérida was built on the site of the Maya city of T'ho (also known as Ichcaanzihó or "city of the five hills", referring to five pyramids) which had been a center of Mayan culture and activity for centuries. Today, Mérida is a cultural center, featuring multiple museums, art galleries, restaurants, movie theatres and shops. It retains an abundance of beautiful colonial buildings and is a vibrant cultural center with music and dancing playing an important part in day-to-day life. The legendary Mayan city of Chichen Itzá, Patrimony of Humanity declared by UNESCO in 1988 and Wonder of the World in 2007, is located on the highway to Cancún, 120 kilometers from Merida. Another spectacular archaeological site, Uxmal, lies 80 km south of Merida. Known as “the three times built”, it is one of the Mayan culture archaeological zones of most impressive architecture, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There are many good reasons to be hopeful that the 15th ISCCB might be one of the most exciting meetings in recent memory.

Arturo Hernández-Cruz, Organizer

For information please visit: http://www.chromaffincell.org/merida.html

---