Talk:MiP2012

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: Can’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

Some general comments

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, perhaps already in 2011, 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