Welcome Note

Dear colleagues and friends,

We kindly invite you to participate in our First International Symposium on Structural Systems Biology in Hamburg, Germany, September 24–25, 2009. The symposium will feature the rapidly emerging field of systems biology with a strong emphasis on methods to analyze and image complex interactions in biological systems at molecular, cellular and organismal levels.

Leading scientists in the fields of X-ray crystallography, NMR, electron microscopy and imaging, bio-Raman spectroscopy, cellular and molecular biology as well as bioinformatics will address current and future developments in structural systems biology.

More than 60 posters will be presented.

Exciting sessions will outline the latest technological breakthroughs with a strong focus towards applications of the unique light sources at DESY, as PETRA III, the free electron laser FLASH and the upcoming X-FEL to examine structures and dynamics of biological interactions to reveal cellular functions, like signaling cascades or metabolic pathways.

Furthermore this symposium will act as a starting point for the planned Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB) at the Deutsche Elektronen Synchrotron (DESY) in Hamburg and a kick off symposium for a series of future regular symposiums highlighting structural aspects in systems biology.

The members of the organization committee are looking forward to meeting you in Hamburg.