Preface

Article Outline

• Copyright

The 12th International Federation of Placenta Associations (IFPA) Meeting was hosted by Takeshi Maruo in Kobe, Japan, from September 6–9th, 2006 in conjunction with the 14th Meeting of Japan Placenta Association (JPA) and the 24th Meeting of Japan Trophoblast Disease (JTD) Study Group. This was an exciting event given that eight years have passed since Japan hosted the 4th IFPA Meeting in Tokyo organized by Masaomi Takayama. It was a great pleasure to welcome a total of 320 participants, including investigators from 25 overseas countries and 160 participants from Japan. The scientific program included a Keynote Lecture, Gabor Than Award Lecture, 5 Symposia, 14 Workshops, 12 New Investigator Oral Presentations, 160 Poster Presentations and the Trophoblast Research Award Lecture, collectively covering a very broad range of topics. We are proud that the Organizing Committee was successful in building an exciting program under the theme of Trophoblast Research from Bench to Bedside: Comparative, Experimental and Clinical Aspects. The outstanding scientific program of the meeting is reflected in this volume of Trophoblast Research, which represents a cross-section of the scientific presentations in review articles, original research papers and workshop reports.

On the first day the scientific session opened with a symposium entitled “Trophoblast Invasion” chaired by Paul Bischof and Takeshi Aso, followed by the Keynote Lecture by Graham Burton entitled “Early Placental Development”. Ian Crocker closed the first day with the Gabor Than Award Lecture on “Pre-eclampsia and Trophoblast Cell Turnover: Perspectives and Possibilities”. Four symposia followed over the next few days: “Adhesion, Apoptosis and Signaling Pathways at the Maternal–Fetal Interface” chaired by Asgi Fazleabas and Masaomi Takayama; “Gestational Programming of Fetal and Maternal Immune Systems” chaired by Anne Croy and Ashley Moffett; “Symposium in honor of Professor Maurice Panigel: Role of the Placenta in Diseases of Pregnancy” chaired by Richard Miller and Henning Schneider; and finally “hCG Research from the Bench to Bedside” chaired by C.V. Rao and Shigeru Saito. On the final day, Erica Watson (Calgary, Canada) gave a lecture entitled “Mrj Co-chaperone Prevents the Formation of Toxic Keratin Inclusion Bodies in Trophoblast Cells” as the recipient of the Trophoblast Research Award 2005. We are deeply indebted to the speakers in the symposia and plenary lectures for their special contributions, as well as to the organizers and participants in the 14 workshops for their dedication to provide outstanding and provocative insights.

The 2006 Trophoblast Research Award was presented to Malgorzata Gasperowicz (Germany) and there were two runners-up, Takeshi Nagamatsu (Japan) and Rie Kawaguchi (Japan). The 2006 Elsevier New Investigator Award went to Ursula Hiden (Austria) and the two runners-up were Naoko Suwaki (Japan) and Nina Louise Jansson (Sweden). Furthermore, Joan Hunt (USA) received the NIH Lecture Award, and NIH Travel Awards were given to four USA-based young participants, as well as Kobe 2006 Awards to three new investigators who made excellent presentations. Last but not least, we are most grateful to Charlie Loke whose foundation financed Travel Awards for 40 New Investigators. Our thanks also go to all those on the Scientific Committee, who assisted us in reviewing the abstracts, and to those on the Awards Committee for their service. Graham Burton, Richard Miller and Martin Knoefler deserve special thanks for their assistance and support in many areas. Takeshi Maruo is especially grateful to Miyuki Yamada, Mineo Yamasaki and Hiroki Morita from his department at Kobe University for their hard work in preparing the IFPA 2006 Abstract Book and in running the meeting. He also wishes to thank Maria Victoria Tan from the Philippines for her dedicated work as an emcee throughout the meeting.

This meeting offered an opportunity to forge new friendships and collaborations with investigators around the world, in addition to renewing acquaintances and meeting old friends. The social programs included the opening night Welcome Reception with magnificent views of the sea and mountains on the roof-top of the Portopia Hotel; a dinner at a Japanese villa built in a combination of Japanese and Western style with a beautiful Japanese garden; and the gala Banquet and Awards ceremony, followed by the handover speech to Anne Croy for IFPA 2007 in Kingston, Canada. The Banquet ended with fun and laughter when enthusiastic dancers celebrated the “IFPA Song”, which is now a tradition. The IFPA 2006 meeting was officially closed by President Greg Rice.

All articles in this volume were invited for submission and underwent peer review, and the Editors are grateful to the authors, reviewers and all those who contributed to the publication. We hope that the contents of this volume will remind you of the superb presentations and discussions throughout the meeting. Once again, thanks to all of you who made IFPA 2006 a tremendous success. We look forward to meeting you again at the future IFPA meetings, August 2007 in Kingston, Canada and 2008 in Budapest.