ISCoS 2008, Durban, South Africa

The 47th Annual Scientific Meeting 2008 of the International Spinal Cord Society will be held in Durban, South Africa from 1 to 3 September 2008. The venue for the meeting is the Durban International Convention Centre, which is centrally located and just a quarter of an hour from the airport, and minutes from hotels and beaches.

This Scientific Meeting will bring together workers in the field of Spinal Cord Affliction where the latest science, ideas, developments and advances in spinal cord medicine will be presented and debated. The scientific programme will incorporate a large research component as well as cover other topical issues in this field of medicine. This meeting will be combined with a 3 day workshop from 2 to 4 September, which will involve the Fundamentals of SCI Care, aimed at workers in Africa and the Developing World. Pre-Meeting workshops are also planned for 31 August. This Meeting promises a cutting edge academic programme and engagement with internationally-renowned experts who will use a wide variety of learning techniques to advance and sharpen your professional skills.

Professor Phillip Siddall from Sydney has accepted an invitation to present the key note "Sir Ludwig Guttmann Address" on 'Pain in Spinal Cord Injury'. Professor Siddall is currently Principal Research Fellow, Director of Education Programme and Group Leader at the Pain Management Research Institute based at the University of Sydney. His research interests include neuropathic pain - particularly following spinal cord injury and his work includes studies of the mechanisms and management of pain following spinal cord injury. His current work is focusing on brain mechanisms contributing to neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury using functional brain imaging techniques.

The International Spinal Research Trust (ISRT) Lecture will be delivered by Professor Sue Barnett and is entitled "What can we expect from Ensheathing Cells?" A session on Prevention will address the prevention of SCI in high risk occupations - mining (underground), construction (heights above ground), acceleration occupations (high speed over ground), etc.

The ISCoS Scientific Committee has identified the following topics for presentations and posters at the meeting:

To enhance your Meeting experience and make the occasion a truly memorable one, you will be warmly entertained. Delegates will be able to experience the magic of South Africa in Durban, the heart of the Zulu Kingdom. An exotic and exciting social programme and a stunning palette of pre- and post-meeting tours and adventures are on offer.

We at SASCA, the Southern African conveners, are proud to have this opportunity to host our colleagues for the first ISCOS meeting on the African continent, and will be going all out to present a stimulating scientific, social and travel experience at this ISCOS meeting.

Rob Campbell
www.iscos2008.org.za