The 52nd Annual Wind River Conference On Prokaryotic Biology--2008.

The 52nd Annual Wind River Conference on Prokaryotic Biology, which was held at the secluded Aspen Lodge only minutes from Estes Park, CO, concluded on 15 June 2008. The Conference, which was first held more than 50 years ago as the Transformation Meeting, was renamed the Wind River Conference on Genetic Exchange (1, 6). Its current name reflects the broader array of topics now represented at the meeting (1), which cover the major areas of prokaryotic biology. Although many participants study pathogenic microorganisms, the main emphasis of the Conference continues to be on fundamental issues in prokaryotic microbiology including molecular biology, microbial community interactions, and environmental microbiology. The relatively small size of the meeting (approximately 100 participants) allows for unique interactions, particularly between principal investigators, postdoctoral fellows, and students. Each year the Conference attracts an exceptionally diverse group of participants, and this year was no exception. In addition, students and young scientists are given the responsibility of chairing the scientific sessions and leading the discussions, reflecting the emphasis of the meeting on career development. The Conference was organized by Don Ennis (University of Louisiana) and invited plenary speakers included Roberto Kolter (Harvard Medical School), Graham Hatfull (University of Pittsburgh), Robert Belas (University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute), and William Jacobs (Albert Einstein College of Medicine). In addition to the plenary addresses, about 50 oral presentations were given by graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and principal investigators. Two sessions were scheduled to allow participants to interact and discuss 31 posters presented primarily by graduate students and undergraduates. A committee of graduate students, assisted by Gordon Churchward (Emory University School of Medicine), authored this review to highlight some of the high-impact science and career development activities presented at the conference. SCIENTIFIC PRESENTATIONS