Societies' invitation
Dear Colleagues,
I have great pleasure in inviting you to attend and make an active contribution to IFCC-WorldLab Berlin 2011. Berlin is one of the most exciting cities in the world with both an historical and a contemporary influence on science, culture, politics and society. There is much to see and do in the city itself and much to learn from the dynamic and positive approach to the future.IFCC-WorldLab occurs only once in every three years. As the name suggests it is the global, showpiece international congress for clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine. As the 2011 congress is being held in Europe it coincides with the EuroMedLab series of congresses, which gives it even more status and significance.
The scientific programme contains high quality science coupled with a strong focus on how important laboratory medicine services are to clinical medicine and the wellbeing of patients and the public. The way in which we deliver and add value to those services is also a highlight of the programme. There will be ample opportunity for individual participants to present and discuss their work with their peers.
Our profession is in a growing partnership with the clinical diagnostic industry. The exhibition of equipment, diagnostics, software and the industrial seminars will be at the sharp end of discovery and delivery and it will encourage participants to consider new and exciting ways to improve the laboratory medicine services that they provide.
However, above all else congresses are about people. At IFCC-WorldLab Berlin 2011 participants will see established colleagues and meet new friends from across the globe. They will find individuals who share scientific and clinical interests and they will have the opportunity to establish long lasting research and practice networks. We can all learn from the experience of others and there is no better place to do this than at a dynamic congress.
IFCC-WorldLab Berlin 2011 will be a highly successful congress with a strong emphasis on a positive future. It will also be hugely enjoyable. Your presence will add to that success and that enjoyment.
I look forward to meeting you in Berlin.
Graham H Beastall
IFCC President
Dear Colleagues,
It is a pleasure to invite you to participate in the joint IFCC Worldlab and Euromedlab Congress 2011. It is pleasing for the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine to be one of the co-sponsors of Worldlab in Berlin, the second most populous and one of the most vibrant cities of Europe. Berlin is among the top three convention cities in the world, where research and development have established economic significance, and the Berlin Brandenburg region ranks among the top three innovative regions in the European Union. Thus there is no doubt that Berlin, with its history and resources, provides an infrastructure which will enable all potential attendees to meet their needs and to enjoy the scientific, cultural and social opportunities that this Congress offers.
As one would expect there is a wide-ranging high quality scientific programme covering the cutting edge developments in laboratory medicine. These include the role of prevention, theragnostics, new technologies and biomarkers in the era of "omics", the relevance of automation and IT and the education and training of our future professionals to cope with these challenges, particularly in a demanding and difficult economic environment. This conference will be an opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones to interact with like-minded colleagues in the pursuit of common goals and interests in the ongoing development of clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 the Brandenburg Gate, enhancing the approach into the Boulevard Unter den Linden, became not only a historical landmark but also the symbol of unity. So, let us unite the profession in Europe and all over the world in the exciting city of Berlin!
Whether on the congress floor or sampling the attractions of Berlin, I am sure you will enjoy your attendance at a memorable meeting. See you for an enriching professional conference and friendly exchanges over a famous German bier or a refreshing drink Unter den Linden!
Andrea Rita Horvath
EFCC President
Dear Colleagues,
in May 2011 the German capital Berlin will be hosting the IFCC-WorldLab and it is my pleasure to invite you to join us in this triennial event which will take place together with the biennial EuroMedLab. As in previous years, the congress offers the unique opportunity for everybody interested in laboratory diagnostics worldwide to meet and exchange ideas. To this end an International Scientific Committee and a Local Organizing Committee both headed by the Congress Presidents Harald Renz and Rudolf Tauber supported by a distinguished International Scientific Advisory board has assembled an outstanding programme covering the most innovative and relevant topics of laboratory diagnostics. In this respect the 2011 congress builds on the high reputation developed during the previous 20 IFCC-WorldLab meetings and will carry on this tradition. However, I would like to stress that the success of a congress cannot be guaranteed by the organizers alone. To obtain a lively programme and scientific exchange we are dependent on the contributions of delegates from all around the world. Therefore, I would like to encourage you to submit the results of your work to the congress and take the opportunity to discuss it with the other delegates.
The city of Berlin with its long-standing tradition in academic research, its internationally renowned universities and its exceptional cultural scene provides an ideal stage for this international meeting. The international congress centre ICC has hosted numerous international events and will offer all amenities for an open exchange between the delegates, speakers, officials and exhibitors. In addition, the city's cosmopolitan flair should motivate everybody to extend the scientific and cultural exchange beyond the official programme of the congress and take a glimpse at today's Germany.
For all these reasons, I am looking forward to welcome you in Berlin.
Karl J. Lackner
DGKL President
IFCC WorldLab is one of the world’s largest and most important scientific congresses, and Berlin is greatly honored to be hosting the national and international experts working in this field. You will feel at home in Berlin, which is a city of great scientific capability.
Medicine, research, and academics occupy a special position in Berlin. Universities and many non-university research institutes of international renown work together closely here. Networks within disciplines promote cooperation between science and business, and many of our medical products and services are unique in their fields.
Berlin is very well prepared to host large national and international congresses and trade fairs. The International Congress Center (ICC); Messe Berlin, our trade fair company; and many other conference facilities offer excellently equipped premises for concentrated professional interaction, and Berlin's hotels and atmospheric restaurants offer inviting opportunities for culinary exploration.
Those attending a conference on the banks of the Spree should not forget to take a look at the city's cultural calendar. Whether theater or opera, classical music or jazz, ancient sculpture or contemporary art – Berlin has something for everyone.
Berlin looks forward to welcoming the IFCC WorldLab participants to Berlin in 2011.
Klaus Wowereit
Governing Mayor of Berlin
Increasingly detailed knowledge about the causes of diseases and new diagnostic technologies are vital prerequisites for medical innovations. Modern laboratory equipment contributes to diagnosing diseases more quickly, more reliably and at an earlier stage. As a result, treatment can be initiated more promptly and in a more targeted way. The aim of individualized medicine is to choose the therapy that is best suited to the patient, avoiding side effects wherever possible. More precise diagnostic tools do not just enable individually tailored treatments – innovative laboratory diagnostics and bioinformatics also change the way in which new drugs are developed.
Health research plays an important role in the Federal Government’s High-Tech Strategy: since 2007, approximately 800 million euros have been provided for efforts to strengthen basic research and accelerate the transfer of research results to the treatment of patients. During this period, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research has invested 30 million euros in molecular diagnostics alone to ensure that Germany remains a competitive, forward-looking research location in the field of laboratory medicine. After all, the molecular diagnostics market is also important from an economic point of view. It is currently worth 12 billion euros, and experts predict that it will grow to approximately 22.5 billion euros over the next five years.
We are facing great challenges in the 21st century – particularly in the field of health research. Demographic change and the rapidly increasing prevalence of certain diseases pose great challenges in the area of health research. To meet them, we need modern health research in all fields of science, and we expect a great deal from the area of laboratory medicine. I would like to thank the organizers of this year’s International Congress of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine in Berlin for their great commitment. I hope that the event will provide a forum for interesting conversations and discussions, stimulate new ideas for future research activities, and present important information for medical practitioners.
Prof. Dr. Annette Schavan, MdB
Federal Minister of Education and Research
