Aerobiology

he main mission of the IAA is the be thorough, but commit to a review only if you promotion of aerobiology. As a can complete it in the designated time. Wouldn't it Tcommunity, we are all interested in raising be wonderful to receive replies to submissions hristine Rogers opens this issue calling on IAA’s the visibility and prominence of aerobiology within one month, and see publications within a members to support the Aerobiology and within the broader scientific . An few months? Lastly, the desirability of publishing Aerobiology journals. Please, pay attention to the acknowledgement of the importance of in a journal increases with a wider readership. We C aerobiology and our work by outside of can contribute to increasing the readership of our last page of this issue where interesting information on Aerobiologia and the Application to be member of the IAA the aerobiology community would highlight the journals in two ways: by publishing more of our are included. need for more academic positions in aerobiology, high quality work in these journals and by making facilitate the publication of our work in prominent references to quality articles in aerobiology Following on the series started in issue 56, ONG Tan Ching scholarly journals and ease the flow of money from publications when writing our papers. This of Singapore gives us, in the present issue, a chance to learn funding agencies. While these things are certainly enables the journals to apply for inclusion in something of the background and the aims of burgeoning desirable, how can we achieve a greater prominence electronic databases which open the entire world science of aerobiology in this part of the world. for aerobiology? to our work. There are many intangible benefits of There is also news of quite a few past and future electronic searches, from the single investigator, aerobiological events: the European Symposium on Clear indicators of a vibrant and important field of stumbling upon an entire discipline they knew Aerobiology, held in Worcester (United Kingdom) was very scientific inquiry include the existence of high nothing about, to funding agencies looking to well attended, and the new topics presented augur well for quality scientific journals that the broader scientific aerobiology for innovative approaches to new the future of European Aerobiology. Poznan was the venue community looks to for expertise and guidance. problems they need solved. The following th Aerobiology is fortunate to have 2 journals for the 6 ECBA, attended by a specially large group of databases already index either Aerobiologia or (Aerobiologia and Grana ) that regularly publish our young aerobiologists from Eastern Europe, where Grana : Biological Abstracts; BIOSIS Previews; aerobiology is undergoing great development. Next year will work. These journals have welcomed our Elsevier BIOBASE/Current Awareness in th contributions and have often waited patiently for Biological Sciences; EMBASE/Excerpta Medica; see the 11 International Palynological Congress in Granada manuscripts to arrive. For the individual Meteorological and Geoastrophysical Abstracts; (Spain), which is scheduled to include an extensive investigator, there are a plethora of choices when it Abstracts Section A: Industrial and programme on Aerobiology. The Nordisk Aerobiologisk comes to publishing as the list of scholarly journals Applied Microbiology; Microbiology Abstracts Förening is also preparing for the 10th NAF Symposium in increases year by year. As a result, aerobiologists are Section B: Health & Safety Science Abstracts; Turku. publishing in a wide array of journals, thereby Pollution Abstracts; Abstracts. (inadvertently) diffusing the impact of aerobiology However, there are some that are more selective, A valuable new book has been published on Aerobiology as an independent discipline. Admittedly, one does for example ISI Current Contents, to which our and Cultural Heritage, and this issue contains an abstract of not want to publish solely in one journal (or two), journals have not yet been accepted. I would like another book on and in the Canary Islands. and it is in the best interests of both the investigator to urge each member of the aerobiological As announced in the issue 56, from 2004 onwards the IAA and the field to publish in the highest profile community to make a concentrated effort to Newsletter will be available in electronic format both at the journals. However, we cannot expect to maintain submit at least one high quality scientific article to IAA website: high quality journals in our field if we do not an aerobiology journal each year in a push to get http://www.isac.cnr.it/aerobio/iaa/IAABULL.html and publish in them. In order for Aerobiology to be the journals indexed with ISI or other prominent the Galician Aerobiology Network site respected as an independent discipline, we must databases. (http://www.usc.es/aerobio). Printed copies will only be contribute our highest quality work to the sent to IAA members on request, so please let me know if aerobiology journals. Finally, the survival of scientific journals relies on you are interested. If your e-mail address is not yet in the subscriptions. We must support the journals by IAA members' database, please send it to both Christine There are a number of factors that make it subscribing each and every year even though we Rogers ( ) and myself [email protected] desirable for an author to submit an article to a may be able to access electronic versions through (). [email protected] specific journal. First, is the perception of the library subscriptions. There are special quality of the journal. This comes from quality subscription prices available to IAA members for The IAA Newsletter has great potential as an ongoing tool work that has been previously published after each of the journals. Please take advantage of for providing information and for keeping members in rigorous and thorough reviews of that work. We them. touch. I would like to call on all IAA members to send must be compelled to do thorough and critical information on the aerobiological activities of members and reviews of manuscripts when asked by our Through these easy steps of focusing our groups everywhere, together with new ideas for improving journals. We can help fellow aerobiologists submissions to the aerobiology journals, the Newsletter. The Newsletter can only with your improve the quality of their work by spending time completing thorough reviews in a timely manner, active input. Once again, my thanks to everyone who has on reviews and providing useful feedback on how increasing the quality of our work, and contributed to this issue. to improve a paper or scientific study. We must also maintaining paid subscriptions to the journals, we raise our standards and be willing to reject work can do our part to promote the entire field of Finally, I would like to wish all IAA members a very peaceful that is not scientifically sound. Second, the speed aerobiology through which we will all reap the and happy 2004. of publication is very important to an author. My benefits. understanding is that the rate-limiting step in the Victoria Jato process of publication is the timely receipt of For comments or feedback contact Newsletter Editor reviews. The message is clear: [email protected] e-mail [email protected] fax +34 988 387001

1 he Republic of Singapore is an National University Hospital, One of the major airspora pollen types We are currently working hard to island-city state. It is located on Singapore. The project was done in discovered was oil palm, Elaeis guineensis, develop an automated system for Tthe Southern tip of Peninsular collaboration With Associate Professor which is frequently cultivated as a crop identifying airspora. We aim to automate Malaysia, just north of the equator Hugh Tan, a botanist, and Associate in Peninsular Malaysia to the north and the airspora counting process too. An near latitude 1.5 deg N and longitude Professor Tan Teck Koon, a Indonesia (Sumatra) to the West and automated counting process will 2 104 deg E. It is only 685.4 km in size. mycologist, both of the then Southwest. This is also the pollen that eliminate the constant need for trained Because of its geographical location Department of (now Biological elicits the most positive skin prick personnel to do the counting as well as and maritime exposure, Singapore's Sciences), National University of reactions when tested on atopic patients inter-counter variation and result in climate is characterised by uniform Singapore. The trap was set on the in Singapore clinics. The levels of oil faster airspora counts. All these savings temperatures and pressure, high rooftop of Block S3 of the National palm pollen in highly correlated to wind will, in turn, allow more sampling humidity and abundant rainfall University of Singapore Kent Ridge direction. However, this plant is rarely stations to be set up together with the throughout the year. Diurnal campus together with an onsite cultivated in Singapore. existing national weather stations to temperatures range from 23 to 34C meteorological station. In less than a ensure airspora counts are more with the relative humidity averaging year, two more sampling sites were Currently, airspora calendars for all the representative for the whole country. 84%. During the Northeast monsoon added in the Southwest and Northeast major airspora species are available. Our final aim is to provide current and season especially in December, of Singapore, both of which were in Forecasting work is still ongoing. In the accurate airspora counts to the public. prolonged heavy rain can result in mainly residential areas. year 2000, we added a cyclone sampler relative humidity values reaching to the rooftop of block S3 to study the 100%. Setting up of the sampling stations relationship between airspora and facilitated discovery of the rich allergen load. Due to the shortage of ONG Tan Ching The first studies were carried out after Singaporean airspora. Because of the manpower and constant disruption of Email: [email protected] setting up the first aerobiology station tropical conditions here, fungal spores power supplies to the two off campus Department of Biological Sciences, in 1988 with the purchase of a Burkard make up almost 80% of the airspora traps, these two stations were shut down Faculty of Science, trap. A Durham trap was placed composition. However, the pollen and leaving only the Kent Ridge Campus National University of Singapore, at the same station to check the fern spore types are also diverse, with station operational. A negligible 14 Science Drive 4, efficiency of the Burkard trap. The up to more than 80 types. The difference between the airspora Singapore 117543 setting up of an aerobiology station availability of the airspora composition composition and load between the three was the brainchild of Associate data enabled clinicians to tailor-make stations was the deciding factor for the Professor Lee Bee Wah, currently a the skin prick panels used in the closure of the two stations. consulting paediatrician for the Allergy clinic using the major local airspora and Unit at the species.

n May 2003, at Cordoba University in Spain, Dr. Maria Teresa Gómez- ast 21st of November a meeting on Casero presented her Doctoral Thesis, entitled “Floral phenology and Pollen and Pollinosis was organised by Oaerobiology in different evergreen Quercus species in the province of Lthe Department of Botany of the Córdoba” prepared under the direction of Dr. Carmen Galán Soldevilla and Dr. University of Barcelona. Tha programme Eugenio Domínguez Vilches (University of Córdoba). A comparative study has included seven conferences focussed on been carried out between phenologycal and aerobiological data in order to different aspects of pollen and specially on ultra observe the relative pollen contribution of each Quercus species living in the structural, inmunocitochemic and pollen's Sierra Morena, Córdoba province, on the aerobiological curve. It has been allergens: described the different reproductive phenophases in Quercus species. A Expression of recombinant antigens of correlation and regression analysis between the length of the different Cupressaceae pollen and the effect of pollution phenophases and the meteorological parameters occurring in prior periods have on it. Dr. Carlos Lahoz. been carried out. Pollen development as a tool in . Dr. Mª Carmen Risueño. The thesis was fully deserved the unanimous prise of the board, under its Allergens from Platanus acerifolia. Dr. Juan R. Asturias. President Dr. Félix Infante (University of Córdoba) and made up by Dr. Palinology and Phylogeny of Angiosperms. Dr. Anninck Le Thomas. Francisco Vázquez (INIA, Badajoz), Dr. Consuelo Díaz de la Guardia Diffusion of pollen's allergens. Conflict between plants and hay fever sufferers (University of Granada, Spain), Dr. Julia Angulo (University of Córdoba) and people. Dr. María Suárez-Cervera. Baltasar Cabezudo (University of Málaga,Spain). New techniques of capture and identification of . Dr. Stella Moreno. Dr. Gómez-Casero was awarded full marks with honours. The role of pollen epitopes in the IgE recognition. Dr. Patricia Iacovacci. Carmen Galán Soldevilla Ultra structural convergence in . Dr. Juan A. Seoane-Camba. The event was organised in honour of Dr. Juan Seoane-Camba who recently was retired as Full Professor of the University of Barcelona.

In the last decades Dr. Seoane-Camba, together his wife, Dr. Suárez-Cervera, had hardly worked in Aerobiology. A new device to pollen capture was designed by them and it has been used by different Spanish Aerobiology groups in the 80's. In t is with great pleasure that I announce that the Indian the last years important works on the ultra structural aspects related with the Aerobiology Society has reinstated their associated status with the pollen changes involved in the liberation of allergens by the pollen were Ipayment of associated society dues. We extend a warm welcome conducted by its direction. to 55 new associated members of the IAS. Victoria Jato

2 Cultural Heritage and Aerobiology Methods and Measurement Techniques for Biodeterioration Monitoring Edited by Paolo Mandrioli Giulia Caneva Cristina Sabbioni his book is the first to give a general overview of the application of aerobiology (the science that studies the biological Tcomponents of the atmosphere) to the conservation of our cultural heritage. Aerobiological monitoring makes it possible to estimate the risks of degradation of artefacts of historical or artistic importance by airborne (airborne spores and vegetative structures) according to the types of materials forming the artefacts, to the conditions of the microclimate and to the type of environmental pollution, thus enabling the planning of preventive or reparative intervention. Among the book's main features are: · Aspects of the biodeterioration of different materials (paper, wood, fabrics, parchment, leather, stone, glass, metals, plastic, etc.). · Methods for measuring environmental parameters, both physical (microclimatic) and chemical (pollutants). · Methods and techniques of aerobiological monitoring. · Specific problems concerning the different types of environments.

Audience: The subject is thoroughly explored, thus supplying a useful tool to those who are in charge of the conservation of our cultural heritage (libraries, archives, museums, churches, hypogea, monuments, archaeological sites, etc.). Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht Hardbound,”ISBN”1-4020-1622-0 PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT October 2003, 258 pp. www.wkap.nl EUR 79.00 / USD 87.00 / GBP 55.00 FOR MORE INFORMATION Kluwer Academic Publishers Van Godewijckstraat 30 3311 GX Dordrecht - The Netherlands

Airborne and Spores in the Canary Islands the Incidence upon

Authors- Irene E. La Serna Ramos Maria D. Dominguez Santana

Publications Service, University of La Laguna, 2003

Distributors: BREOGAN c/Ayala 96, 28001 Madrid. Tel. 917 259072. E-mail: [email protected]. LEMUS BOOKSHOP c/Heraclio Sánchez 64, La Laguna, Tenerife. Tel. 922 251461. E-mail: [email protected]. Web page: www.librerialemus.com Price: € 21

his book is a new and complete aerobiological study of the Canary Islands which will be a very useful tool for a better understanding of the air quality in the islands Tas many of its biotic components are involved in allergy problems. The book begins by defining aeropalynology and pollenosis as well as describing the origins and characteristics of atmospheric palynomorphs. There is a detailed botanical description of various groups of microalgae, fungal spores, bryophytic lichens and ferns, followed by the morphological aspects of the pollen grain and its role in the fascinating process of pollination. Techniques for the capture and analysis of airborne particles are clearly described. The authors then go on to catalogue in great detail 139 airborne palynomorphs divided into , lichens, ferns, bryophytes and phanerograms, each being given a clear description as seen under a light microscope, and also their allergenic characteristics. The spermatophytes are covered more fully with additional notes on pollination types, flowering times, and so on. There are also 12 wonderful, colour photographs taken under the microscope, showing the great diversity of airborne spores and pollens, which will doubtless become an essential guide to identification both in the Canary Islands and other areas. Finally, there is a glossary of terms related to aeropalynology, plus one index of vernacular names and another of taxonomical names, and an extensive bibliography.

I strongly recommend this excellent book on aeropalynology which will be a great help in the identification of many biological particles not only in the Canary Islands but also in other areas of the Spanish Peninsula, particularly with reference to fungal spores.

Consuelo Díaz de la Guardia

3 he Third European Symposium on Aerobiology covered a diverse range of Best poster in Symposium competition. topics including traditional aspects of the subject as well as those on the The prize for this was a Dyson Vacuum Cleaner, donated by the company, and it Tleading edge of novel research. The focus was on applied Aerobiology and was won by Dr Nathalie Jarosz of France for her poster entitled: 'Influence of on collaboration, both interdisciplinary and internationally. Thanks to a lot of hard variety and humidity on settling velocity of maize pollen.' In second place was work from the members of local organising committee and the Scientific Drs R. Gehrig & A Peeters with 'Diurnal analysis of Poaceae pollen at the source committee, the TESA ran very smoothly with a friendly and vibrant atmosphere. of pollen emission', and in third place were Drs A.Testa, S Saint-Jean et al . with Grateful thanks are also due to the sponsors of the event namely (in alphabetical 'Rapid laboratory analysis of spore dispersal by splash droplets using a order) British Aerobiology Federation, Burkard Manufacturing, Glaxo Smith- Phytophthora infestans strain that expresses the green fluorescent .’ kline, Lanzoni, Meiji Microscopes and Zirtek Allergy UCB. Student grants to attend TESA. Two prizes of reimbursement of the TESA fee were donated by Glaxo- The symposium was attended by 130 delegates from 30 countries. A total of 45 Smithkline. These were awarded to Branko Sikoparija of Serbia and Montenegro posters were exhibited and 73 oral presentations were given. Authors of posters and Manuela Martins Oliveira of Portugal. also gave short presentations of their work in discussion sessions. The academic programme included the following keynote talks: Social programme -Aerobiology: Its uses and abuses. Prof. Jean Emberlin. The TESA included a varied and full social programme. Several optional tours -Aerobiology and Biological Weapons. Dr Alastair Hay. were arranged during the sessions such as Worcester Cathedral and City tour and a visit around Royal Worcester Porcelain, although most delegates chose to stay in -Aerobiology, Allergies and Animal health. Dr Tim Nuttall. the sessions. However all participants were able to take part in the main social There was also a Keynote sub-symposium on Aerobiology and Health sponsored events, which are described below. by Zirtek/UCB Pharma. This included the following presentations:

- of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Dr Michael Burr, University of Wales Welcome Reception College of Medecine, Cardiff, UK. The welcome reception took place on the Saturday evening after registration. It was -Trends in respiratory allergies during the past two decades in Vienna: the influence an informal occasion with delegates having the chance to meet each other and have of environmental factors. Prof. Siegfried Jaeger, Clinic of Laringology, University a chat over a buffet meal. Following the meal a dancing demonstration took place by of Vienna, Austria. a group of Appalachian step dancers. -Asthma and deprivation. Prof. Richard Lewis, Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Excursion to Stratford-Upon-Avon and dinner at the Birmingham Botanical Worcester, UK. st Contributions from delegates on the topic of Aerobiology and Health were Gardens Monday 1 September welcomed in a General Session on this subject. There was also a sub symposium on On arriving in Stratford-Upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, the Ragweed, led by Dr Déchamp. Other sessions covered a wide range of topics world famous poet and playwright, delegates wandered around the town at their including, Agriculture and Aerobiology, Indoor Aerobiology, Fungal Spores, own leisure. Some visited Shakespeare's birthplace museum or took a boat trip Aerobiological and Health Aspects, Methods and Networks, Climate Change and down the river Avon passing the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Others simply took Regional and Temporal Variations in Pollen Counts. Aspects of particular concern the opportunity to look around the shops and to buy presents and souvenirs to take for future developments in Aerobiology were debated such as New Techniques in back home with them. Aerobiology, European Collaboration and Development, Threshold After spending the afternoon in Stratford, the coaches preceded onto the world concentrations of pollen, Forecasting and Modeling and Pollution and particles famous Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Here delegates enjoyed a guided tour other than pollen. The standard of presentations and posters was very high with around the many acres of beautiful gardens, glasshouses and tropical houses. This numerous excellent contributions from the delegates. was followed by a delightful candlelit dinner held in the Terrace suite; the evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all. TESA Competition Winners Three different competitions were held during the Third European Symposium on The Gala dinner Aerobiology. Here are the details of the prizewinners: The final social event of the symposium was the Gala dinner, this was held at the Guildhall in Worcester on Wednesday 3rd September. On arrival at the Guildhall Competition for finding the person who made the best contribution to discussions. delegates enjoyed a drinks reception and acoustic ensemble played by local band This was won by Dr Eckart Schultz of Germany who won a beautiful Elgar Bowl, D'Bunni. kindly donated by Worcester Porcelain.

4 Following this, an excellent meal was enjoyed upstairs in the assembly room. Subsequent to dinner delegates moved downstairs to the Lower hall and enjoyed champagne during which the speeches and prize giving was made. The prizes of a Dyson vacuum cleaner for the best poster, and a Worcester Porcelain Elgar bowl for the best contribution to discussion during the symposium were presented. The evening then turned lively with D'Bunni playing again, and almost all of the delegates let their hair down and took to the dance floor. The whole evening came to a close far too quickly. The symposium rounded off with the closing ceremony to thank everyone involved with the planning and running of the event and also a presentation by Francisca Alba advertising the 11th International Palynological Congress in Granada, Spain in July 2004. Details of the TESA and photos can be seen on www.pollenuk.co.uk .The next European Symposium on Aerobiology will be held in Finland, hosted by the Aerobiology group at Turku and led by Dr Auli Rantio-Lehtimaki. This will be either in 2007 or 2008, date to be confirmed.

rom 7th to 13 th August 2003 the Sixth European Course in Basic Aerobiology (6th ECBA) was given in Poland. After Krems, Austria (1993), Leiden, The Netherlands (1995), Worcester, UK (1997), Córdoba, Spain (1999, and Perugia, Italy (2001), Poznan, Poland was the venue for this Basic Course in 2003. The FCourse had been organized by Dr. Alicja Stach (Quaternary and Geo- Research Institute, Dept. of Geomorphology of the University of Poznan), co- organized by Prof. Frits Spieksma, and strongly supported by Prof. Wojciech Silny (Allergic Disease Diagnostic Centre of the University of Medical Sciences at Poznan). The “permanent” European team of teachers was again formed by Prof. Jean Emberlin, Prof. Carmen Galan, Prof. Giuseppe Frenguelli, Prof. Siegfried Jäger, and Prof. Frits Spieksma. The hosting Polish teachers team consisted of Dr Alicja Stach, Prof. Elzbieta Weryszko-Chmielewska, and Prof. Magdalena Czarnecka- Operacz, and was supported by a team of assistants with Dr. Malgorzata Góra, Dr. Idalia Kasprzyk, Dr. Dorota Myszkowska, Dr. Magdalena Ratajczak, Dr. Danuta Stepalska, and Dr Andreja Seliger (from Slovenia). The program of this 6th ECBA was essentially the same as of the five preceding ECBA's, with ten introductory lectures on various topics of fundamental and applied aerobiology, and with much emphasis on practical and technical aspects of airborne pollen and spore monitoring. Twenty-two different pollen taxa were presented and studied, and ten different recognizable fungal spores were also included in the instructive program. In the middle of the Course week, also traditionally, there was the biological and cultural excursion this time to some archeological sites East of Poznan. This 6th ECBA was attended by 24 participants from 13 countries (see photo), all of who successfully completed this Course and received the Certificate. By Frits Spieksma Oegstgeest, 25 August 2003

Teachers, assistants, and participants of the 6th ECBA at Poznan, Poland; From left to right, back row: Mohamed Laaidi (France), Andris Germanis (Latvia), Shahid Abbas (Pakistan), Wolfgang Dutzi (Austria), Jean Emberlin (UK), Giuseppe Frenguelli (Italy), Carmen Galan (Spain), Frits Spieksma (The Netherlands), Siegfried Jäger, Austria, Predrag Radisic (Serbia); middle row: Edita Stefanic (Croatia), Aleksandra Konopinska (Poland), Krystyna Piotrowska (Poland), Danuta Stepalska (Poland), Charlotte Lachasse (France), Dorota Myszkowska (Poland), Anja Heynis-van der Vos (The Netherlands), Laimdota Kalnina (Latvia), Magdalena Józefiak (Poland), Agata Gieldon (Poland), Alicja Stach (Poland), Elzbieta Weryszko-Chmielewska (Poland), Mirjana Mitrovic-Josipovic (Yugoslavia), Ingrida Sauliene (Lithuania), Bozena Mitic (Croatia), Andreja Seliger (Slovenia), Renata Peternel (Croatia), Zdenka Culjak (Croatia); front row: Aleksandra Kosic (Croatia), Gabriele Price (UK), Malgorzata Nowak (Poland), Agnieska Uruska (Poland), Idalia Kasprzyk (Poland), Malgorzata Puc (Poland), Malgorzata Góra (Poland), Vivika Meltsov (Estonia), Barbara Köhler (Austria).

he Sixth European Course on Basic Aerobiology was held 7-13 August 2003 in Poznañ under the auspices of the IAA International Association for TAerobiology. The ceremony opening the course took place in the Lubranski Hall of Colleguim Minus of the University. Following the opening, the guests were welcomed by Professor Wojciech Silny, and next Professor Frits Spieksma addressed the course instructors (see separate report). Professor Bronislaw Marciniak, the Rector, gave an address on behalf of Adam Mickiewicz University, and Professor Wojciech Dyszkiewicz, Prorector, on behalf of the Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Science. Professor Kazimierz Szczepanek and Professor Krystyna Obtu³owicz, both of the Jagiellonian University, Kraków, the precursors of aerobiology in Poland were honoured guests at the opening ceremony. The group of 24 students taking the course included participants from Austria, Croatia, Estonia, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Serbia and Montenegro, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Pakistan, and Poland. Magdalena Ratajczak, Alicja Stach, Magdalena Józefiak and Agata Szymañska prepared materials for the classes and lectures, and the lecture texts for publication. Most of the texts were prepared in Department of Geomorphology of the Institute of Quaternary Research and Geoecology thanks to the support of Professor Boleslaw Nowaczyk. Comparative samples for the students were prepared by Andreja Seliger i Idalia Kasprzyk. The success of the course was also dependent on the high quality of the microscopes lent to us by Zeiss, represented by Mr Grzegorz Kolodziej Among the traditions of aerobiology courses is to make it possible for participants to become acquainted with the history, culture, and natural environment of the host country. Given the intensive of the course, single-day excursions are an attempt to meet this goal. SECBA participants visited Ostrów Lednicki, Gniezno, Trzemeszno and Biskupin on Sunday 10 August, and were given specially prepared excursion guides: „The natural and cultural values of Szlak Piastowski (Piast Route)”. Botanical topics relevant to the excursion were covered by Dr Julian Chmiel of the Institute of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, and Danuta Stêpalska from Kraków, and topics from physical geography by Dr Magdalena Ratajczak. Our guides were very impressed that during the excursion in the coach, not only did the course participants enjoy the areas being visited, but they also continued working on the course lecture and class notes and tasks.

5 The final dinner was arranged in the rather unusual setting of the Poznañ Palm House. As Professor Spieksma commented, the examination results achieved by the students were very good, but as to whether the course has fulfilled its goals will only be seen later. We will be watching carefully to see how many of our course participants publish their work in Aerobiology or Grana, and how many become active participants in IAA conferences. The preparation and completion of the course would not have been possible without the support and active engagement of Professor Wojciech Silny and Professor Magdalena Czarnecka-Operacz in securing funding. For me personally, this was a special experience, and I would like to thank all the lecturers and instructors, assistents, and students for their great commitment. The holding of the course in Poznañ has also contributed to the taking of the decision to open an aerobiology unit At the Faculty of Biology at the Adam Mickiewicz University. By Alicja Stach

ear Colleagues, plenary sessions given by Professor Eugenio and the dinners we have organised will be held Domínguez of the University of Cordóba, Spain, outside in lovely gardens. The summer evenings are D and Professor Henry Hooghiemstra of the quite magical in Granada. If you wish to extend your With just over six months to go to University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, stay in Spain I highly recommend the pre- and post- the 11 IPC we are making good progress here in Professor Paolo Mandrioli will give the opening conference tours we have organised, taking you to Granada with the organisation of the conference. We lecture “The first 30 years of the International places of great botanical, palynological, geological are very pleased with the level of response we are Association for Aerobiology”. The registration fee and palaeontological interest. getting from all over the world and feel confident that includes the full social programme as well as a guided You can find more detailed information on our the quality of the contributions will assure the success tour of the Alhambra and Generalife. There are two regularly updated web site www.11ipc.org. If you of the conference. May I remind you that the attractive options available for accompanying want more information about accommodation, the deadline for receiving abstracts is only a few weeks persons. We have organised special discounts at pre- and post-conference tours and so on, the away on the 15 January 2004 and the deadline for hotels within easy walking distance of the technical secretary can be contacted at registration without surcharge is 15 April 2004. conference centre. Unfortunately, funding is limited [email protected]. Aerobiologists and specialists in pollen allergies will but three different grants are available, from the I do encourage you to send us the latest results of be strongly represented at the conference and will IFPS, the AASP and from the 11 IPC organisation your research and to join us here in Granada next have a total of ten sessions, giving the possibility for itself. Further details are available on the conference summer to meet colleagues old and new and to enjoy at least eighty contributions plus a poster exhibition web-site. our Andalucian hospitality. and poster sessions on three days of the conference. July is of course quite hot in the south of Spain but The journal Aerobiologia has offered to publish the the conference centre is air-conditioned so we will be Ana T. Romero proceedings of this part of the conference. able to get on with our work. Due to Granada's 11 IPC Chairwoman In September we sent out the second circular setting altitude, however, the evenings are pleasantly cool out the scientific programme so far. Besides the two

The 10th NAF symposium X NAF, the 10th Nordic Symposium on Aerobiology, August 19-20, 2004, Turku, Finland.

ordisk Aerobiologisk Förening, NAF (Nordic Aerobiology Keynote lectures: Association), is an association for aerobiologists and other Nordic and • Pollen seasons and satellite phenology studies NBaltic researchers with diverse scientific backgrounds and expertise, and by Kjell Arild Høgda, NORUT Information Technology, Tromsø, Norway with common interest in the sources, dispersal, deposition and health effects of • Atmospheric transport of birch pollen airborne biological particles. by Mikhail Sofiev, The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), Helsinki, Finland The 10th NAF symposium will be arranged in Turku, Finland, August 19-20 2004, in the campus area of the University of Turku. The symposium is open for all members of the NAF or the IAA / International Association for Aerobiology in the Scandinavian countries, Finland and the Baltic We invite everybody interested in aerobiology from the Nordic, Baltic or states. However, NAF membership is not required for attending the symposium. other countries, to attend the meeting. The symposium language will be Important dates: English. Scientific contributions covering all topics of aerobiology, as well as · Registration deadline January 31, 2003 medicine, meteorology and forestry related to aerobiology are invited. · Presentation registration deadline January 31, 2003 The papers might focusing on the following subjects: · Abstract submission deadline April 30, 2004 Health aspects · Sampling techniques · Registration fee payment by April 30, 2004 · Pollen, fungi, · Atmospheric transport, meteorology · Airborne allergens ·Forecasting and modelling We look forward to seeing you in Turku! · Bioaerosols · Phenology On behalf of the Local organising committee: Hanna Ranta For more information, please visit the conference website · National networks ·Remote sensing www.sci.utu.fi/aerobiologia/xnaf, or contact symposium secretary ·Indoor air quality · Forest research and agronomy [email protected]. Contact: XNAF / Aerobiology Unit, FI-20014 Univ. Turku, Finland Phone: +358 (0)2 333 6065, Fax: +358 (0)2 -333 5565 E-mail: [email protected]

6 28th IUBS General Assembly and IUBS Conference "Biological Sciences, 8th International Congress on Aerobiology: "Aerobiology: towards a Development and Society" comprehensive vision" Cairo, Egypt, 18 - 23 January 2004 Neuchâtel (Switzerland), 21 - 25 August 2006 Contact: IUBS Secretariat, 51 bd de Montmorency, 75016 Paris, France Chair person : Dr. Bernard Clot Tel: +33 (0) 1 45 25 00 09 MeteoSwiss, Les Invuardes, CH - 1530 Payerne Fax: +33 (0) 1 45 25 20 29 Tel +41 26 662 62 59, Fax +41 26 662 62 12 e-mail: [email protected] [email protected]

60th Annual Meeting of the AAAAI (American Academy of Allery, Asthma & Immunology) San Francisco, USA 19 - 24 March, 2004 AAAAI, 611 East Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA. Tel: +1 414 272 6071 Fax: +1 414 272 6070 e-mail: [email protected]

postdoctoral vacancy for an aerobiologist has fallen vacant in the Allergy and Aerobiology Research Unit, Department of Biological and Medical Research, AKing Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The successful candidate will join a team of allergists and aerobiologists as part of the expansion of the Research Unit. A PhD degree in Aerobiology in relation to Allergology from a recognized University with a minimum of five years experience in the relevant field is required.

The candidate must have experience in the following areas:

* Good knowledge and experience in identification of all kinds of airborne and domestic allergens. * Handling of all kind of volumetric air samplers including Burkard Volumetric Spore Trap and Burkard personal viable/non-viable samplers. * Detection and identification of indoor allergens including Bla g, Der p, Der f, Fel d and Per a allergens. * Qualitative and quantitative identification, enumeration and conversion of environmental and domestic allergens using various monitoring devices and immunochemical methods. * Collection, extraction and standardization of various indoor and outdoor antigens/allergens for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. * Field identification and collection of allergenic pollen grains. * Culture experience of HDMs and fungi for antigen preparation.

The applicant should submit a CV including an email address, and the names and addresses of three referees (preferably email addresses, or if not available fax addresses). Send this information to: Ms. Katharine Ritchie, Senior Hospital Assistant, Department of Biological and Medical Research (MBC 03), King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O. Box 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia. E-mail: [email protected]

his year, the International Union of Geological Societies (IUGS) has Assuming Councillors agree that this is a good use of funds, we plan to move awarded forward quickly with this. Unfortunately it is too late for the second circular, but T information on this award, and an application form, will be put on the IFPS and $US 1000.00 to IFPS. This is in recognition of our work within the international 11 IPC websites, and symposium organisers will also be advised of the award. community of geological scientists.

Furthermore, as Councillors must be aware, the move to electronic publication Please note: The IFPS Award Fund should not be confused with either of of PALYNOS has led to savings in expenditure relating to printing and the other two awards which have been announced in the second 11 IPC distribution. circular:

Therefore, our current financial position enables us to propose that $10,000 be The AASP award scheme set aside as an award fund to assist a selected number of students and established, but financially disadvantaged researchers, to attend 11 IPC and The 11 IPC Organising Committee Award scheme present an aspect of their recent research. The award could, for example, be used to help fund accommodation, travel, registration etc. Annick Le Thomas (President) Clearly we would have to be fair in the selection process and, therefore, we propose to set up a Committee to consider applications for funding. Owen Davis (Past President) Madeline Harley (Secretary-Treasurer) Applicants will not be eligible for an award, if they have applied for and received an award from either of the other two award funds (see below). 30th September, 2003

Although it is not necessary in our by-laws for the President to seek Council approval in this matter it would seem both sensible and democratic to do so. It also provides the opportunity for the President to seek constructive comment on the idea, and practical suggestions on how to action it most effectively.

7 Dr. Carmen Galán Dept. of Plant Biology University of Córdoba Campus de Rabanales Membership in IAA is for the calendar year. Colonia de San José, nº 4 14071-Córdoba, Spain Tel. 34 957 218719 Dues are as follows: Fax 34 957 218598 e-mail: [email protected]  For individual members 20 US$ per year  for members belonging to associated societies or organizations18 US$ per year. Dr. Siegfried Jaeger ENT-Clinic, E8J  For associated societies organizations 1US$ per year for each of their full members. University of Vienna Waehringer Guertel 18-20 A-1090 Wien, Austria Send this form, duly filled in, to Tel 43 (1) 40 400 3370 Fax 43 (1) 405 63 55 Dr. Christine Rogers e-mail:[email protected] Environmental Science & Engineering Harvard School of Public Health Dr. Christine Rogers Landmark Center, PO Box 15677, 401 Park Dr. Environmental Science & Engineering Harvard School of Public Health Boston, MA 02215 USA Landmark Center, PO Box 15677, 401 Park Dr e-mail: [email protected] Boston, MA 02215, USA Tel 1 617 384 8814 Fax 1 617 384 8859 e-mail:[email protected] NAME:…………………………………………………………….……………………… ADDRESS: …….……………………………………………………….………………… Dr. Janet Marie Macher …………………………………………………………………………………………….. Cal. Dept. Health Services ……………………………………………….POST/ZIP CODE:...... ……………………. EHLB, Indoor Air Quality Section E-MAIL: ………………………CONTACT PHONE: ……………FAX………………... 2151 Berkeley Way, Rm 334 Berkeley, CA 94704-1011, USA PROFESSION…………………..INSTITUTION/ORGANIZATION……….………… Tel 1 510 540 3130 SIGNATURE…………………………… Fax 1 510 540 3130 e-mail:[email protected]

Dr. Victoria Jato University of Vigo Dpt. Plant Biology Fac. Sciences E-32004 Ourense, Spain Tel 34 988 387054 Fax 34 988 387001 e-mail:[email protected]

Dr. M. Thibaudon Dr. A. McCartney 18 Rue Boyer 69160 IACR-Rothamsted Tassin La demi-Lune Harpenden France Herts AL52JQ Tel 33(0)474706679 UK England Fax 33(0)474706682 Politechnical building Tel 441582763133 2246 E-mails: Fax 441582760981 [email protected] [email protected] erobiologia is an international medium for the Emphasis is given to subjects linked to aerobiology such as: publication of original, full-length research papers respiratory allergology, plant , pest management, Dr. Bernard Clot Aand review articles in the interdisciplinary fields of biological weathering and biodeterioration, indoor air MétéoSuisse aerobiology and interaction of human, plant and animal quality, air-conditioning technology, industrial aerobiology Les Invuardes, Case Postale 316 systems on the . Subjects covered include: and cultural heritage. CH-1530 Payerne, Switzerland bioaerosols, transport mechanisms, biometeorology, The journal is of interest to aerobiologists and related Tel 41 26 662 62 59 climatology, air/sea interaction, land-surface/atmosphere scientists and professionals working in fields such as Fax 41 26 662 62 12 interaction, biological pollution, biological input to global medicine, public health, industrial and environmental e-mail:[email protected] change, microbiology, aeromycology, aeropalynology, hygiene, biological sciences, agriculture, atmospheric arthropod dispersal and environmental policy. physics, botany, environmental science and cultural Dr. Paul Comtois heritage. Dept. of Geography Univ. Montreal, CP 6128 For International Association for Aerobiology: Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada Tel 1 514 343 8029 EUR 66.00/USD 70.00 Fax 1 514 343 8004 e-mail:[email protected] Manuscript submission : For the purpose of reviewing, articles for publication should be submitted as hard-copy printout (4-fold) and on diskette to: Dr. F. Javier Rodríguez-Rajo Editorial Office Aerobiologia Dr. Victoria Jato c/o ISAC-CNR University of Vigo Via Gobetti 101 Dpt. Plant Biology I-40129 Bologna Fac. Sciences Italy E-32004 Ourense, Spain Tel 34 988 387048 Fax 34 988 387001 Visit our website at: www.wkap.nl e-mail:[email protected] for up-to-date information on submitting,

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