I've got the whole issue in my hands...
First things first: our April issue is now online. This is (as always, duh) a great one, including a comparison of cryogenic crystals conveying complex and coordinated connectivity in conduits, a synthetic sugar system to screen symptoms of severe sickness, and a pair of protocols to prepare and prove proper Phytophthora products.
We've also included a few photos from our recent symposium, and summarized some of our thoughts from and experiences at the meeting in our editorial this month.
On the topic of scientific gatherings, I thought it might be interesting to hear from you all about conferences you look forward to. For example, in contrast to my recent question about conferences that are a bit scary, what are your favorite conferences, and why? Is it all about the content, or have different ways of getting your daily recommended allowance of science made a big impression on you? What would you most like to do at a conference, if you could plan one yourself? We're in the midst of planning our next symposium, so we'd love to hear any fun ideas you've got tucked away...
Catherine (associate editor, Nature Chemical Biology)
Comments
I like small one or two day conferences on very specific topics. By the middle of day 2 you are saying hello to everyone, and it is just long enough to stay focussed on topic. I can usually catch all talks without skipping a few to 'recover'.
Posted by: Propter Doc | March 19, 2008 08:48 PM
Thanks, Propter Doc. A related question: for those short meetings, do you ever have trouble justifying the trip (to yourself, your boss, your source of funding, etc.) for a 2-3 day excursion? Or do you tend to look for things that are close to you?
Posted by: Catherine | March 20, 2008 10:12 AM
Last year I went to a 2 day conference in the UK and to justify travelling from Canada I tagged it on to a trip to a 6 day conference in Europe, and a visit home. Usually I'd just go to local small conferences, within easy travel. I don't respond well to time zone changes so dislike going too far for such a short trip.
The small conferences are the best way to meet 'local' researchers on the same topic. They might have access to different facilities, make good collaborators, and other such useful stuff.
Posted by: Propter Doc | March 20, 2008 11:20 AM