ASM is a large scientific society with many international members and
is organized into different scientific divisions and regional
branches. Biofilms comprise the full spectrum of microbiology
and
hence there is no division that is entirely devoted to biofilms. ASM
sponsors biofilm conferences, which are held approximately every 2-3
years. Conferences dedicated to biofilms, which tend to emphasize
single-species biofilms or biofilms with a relevance to pathogenesis in
various animal and plant habitats, are held on the initiative of
individual ASM members.
The next scheduled ASM biofilm conference will take place in March 2007
in Copenhagen, Denmark.
National
Association of Corrosion
Engineers (NACE) is organized into
four Areas in North America (Northern Area, Eastern Area, Central Area
and Western Area) and four Regions outside the continent (East
Asia/Pacific Rim Region, Africa/East Region, Europe Region and Latin
America Region). NACE mission: Protect people, assets, and the
environment from the effect of corrosion. NACE sponsors two annual
conferences - a Corrosion Conference and a Technology Exchange Week. In
addition to a corrosion conference proceedings volume and individual
conference papers, NACE publishes books, standards and reports. It also
publishes two journals: (1) Corrosion, and (2) Material Performance
NACE members participate in technical committee activities. The
committees are led by the Technical Coordination Committee (TCC), which
serves as the administrative and policy-making body to the committees.
The technical committees are organized by Specific Technology Groups
(STGs) assigned to specific technical areas within three administrative
classes: Industry-Specific Technology (N), Cross-Industry Technology
(C), and Science (S). STGs sponsor Task Groups (TGs) and Technology
Exchange Groups (TEGs). Under the STG, TGs are formed to complete
specific assignments such as the preparation of technical committee
reports, standards, and other technical committee publications. TEGs
are formed under STGs to organize and direct symposia and technical
information exchanges. Committees can choose to meet at either or both
annual conferences. Throughout the year, the members communicate by
e-mail and telephone. Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion group is
one of the TEGs, specifically, TEG 187X.
TEG 187X, sponsored by the STG 60, Corrosion Mechanisms, was
established for the exchange of information as to mechanisms, case
histories, and information related to microbiologically influence
corrosion (MIC). TEG 187X sponsors an annual symposium on MIC.
Number of members: 122
Chair: Timothy P. Zintel
Vice Chair: Joanne Jones Meehan
Staff Liaison: Stacie Hiscock
STG 60 also sponsors the following:
TG 304 - Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) Monitoring and
Control: State of the Art. Paula Scott was the chair. The work of this
group is finished, and the final report from TG 304, “Expert
Consensus
on MIC; Prevention and Monitoring was published as a two-part series in
Material Performance March and April 2004.
TG 237 - Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion on External Surfaces of
Buried Pipelines: Detection, Testing, and Evaluation, Chair Tim Zintel
TEG 286 - Oil and Gas Production: Microbially Influenced Corrosion,
Chair Rupi Prasad
The International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation Society was
formally established in 1969 as an international, multidisciplinary
organisation concerned with the biodeterioration of commercially
important materials.
They aim to promote the science and technology of not only
biodeterioration but also biodegradation and bioremediation with
diverse meetings on:
• Biodeterioration and
biodegradation of plastics.
• Biodeterioration of metals,
timber, paper, stone
and concrete.
• Biodegradation of solid wastes
biosorption and
bioremediation.
• Biofilms in biodeterioration
processes.
• Preservation of constructional
materials and
historical artifacts.
• Post-harvest decay spoilage of
foods and feeds.
• Methods for controlling
biodeterioration including
the use of biocides.
• Rapid detection of biological
agents involved in
biodeterioration.
Membership is open to anyone with a scientific, technical, practical or
commercial interest in these fields.
As a substantial part of the biodeterioration and biodegradation
processes implies the role of biofilms, the IBBS sees itself closely
connected to the international biofilm community.
The actual number of members is ca. 140, mostly from UK but with a
substantial number from all over the world. The members are essentially
involved in biofilm research as both biodeterioration and
biodegradation of solid materials are performed by biofilms. Therefore,
practical application of biofilm research belongs to the core
competences of the members. One of the central tasks of the IBBS
consists in the creation of networks of communication and cooperation.
In order to do so, usually every third year, a large conference
dedicated to biodeterioration and biodegradation is held. The next one
will be in Madrid in September 2005. In between, smaller conferences
are organized with the last one on “Alternative and
conventional
anti-fouling strategies” in Mülheim (for CD with
contributions:
i.pinders@iww-online.de). In between, the IBBS newsletter provides
information to the members.
The official publication organ of the society is the peer reviewed
International Journal on Biodeterioration and Biodegradation which is
published by Elsevier.
President: Hans-Curt Flemming, Biofilm Centre, University of
Duisburg-Essen
Vice president: John Gillatt, Thor, Manchester
Staff liaison: Kath Whitehead (kath@whitehead246.freeserve.co.uk)