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President's Letter
August 2007
Dear Colleagues:
I would like to invite you to attend the 12th international meeting of the Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities entitled "ABRF 2008: Enabling Technologies in the Life Sciences." to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, February 9-12.
The organizers (Drs. Ted Thannhauser, Joss Rose and Jeff Kowalak) have assembled a stellar group of internationally renowned scientists to present the latest developments in the technologies that enable research in the life sciences. They will provide insight as to how these technologies are being utilized and integrated into core resource facilities. In addition to these presentations the hallmarks of our Association: education, training, communication and core laboratory operations will be thoroughly addressed.
This year’s program will include presentations of studies carried out by the Association's Research Groups. There will be a variety of Tutorial Sessions, Workshops and Roundtables exploring the technologies people traditionally associate with the ABRF such as: DNA sequencing, genotyping, micro arrays, molecular interactions, mass spectrometry, nucleic acid and protein chemistry, proteomics, etc. However, this years Program will also focus significant attention on technologies that are not traditionally associated with the ABRF such as: flow cytometry, lipidomics, metabolomics and structural genomics. Furthermore, a number of additions and alterations to the standard program have been made that include: the new “JBT Award”; a Science Policy Forum, the promotion of the Poster Award Session to plenary status; electronic submission of posters and a complementary CD of the Symposium Proceedings.
As in previous years there will be a pre-conference satellite meeting associated with ABRF 2008. In keeping with the Executive Boards mandate to expand the ABRF’s technology portfolio, this year’s offering will focus on flow cytometry. As these pre-symposium workshops tend to be very popular, I suggest you register early to ensure your place. Finally, there will be ample opportunity for participants to visit the outstanding array of vendors exhibiting (Vendor Exhibition) at the meeting, review the numerous scientific and technical posters presented (Poster Sessions) and to interact with your colleagues in both professional and social settings.
The ABRF was founded in 1988 to represent and support laboratories that provide, develop and advance highly specialized technological resources for the analysis and/or synthesis of biomolecules. Over the years we have maintained that focus while expanding into new technological arenas as exemplified by our program for ABRF 2008. The association's meeting has become one of best-recognized forums for scientists in academic, independent and industrial laboratories to come together and learn from key scientists in the field as well as one another in a relaxed, professional environment and take back valuable knowledge, tools and contacts to enhance their careers, laboratories and institutions.
I look forward to seeing you at ABRF 2008 and your participation in the meeting.
Sincerely,
Jay W. Fox
President, ABRF Executive Board
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