The articles in this issue of Experimental Lung Research arose from the presentations made at the 25th Anniversary meeting of the British Association for Lung Research that took place in Sheffield, United Kingdom, in July 2006. The meeting entitled “Innate Immunity and Host Defense in the Lung” contained the usual mix of exciting pulmonary science, which is reflected in this issue, as well as a relaxed and informal social program.
For the past 25 years The British Association for Lung Research has provided a focus for exchange of ideas between all manner of respiratory researchers, basic scientist and clinician alike, thus fulfilling the initial aims of the society to promote respiratory research throughout the United Kingdom.
The aims of the Association are:
To promote interest and encourage studies in the field of experimental research, related to the elucidation of normal lung function and the mechanisms of lung disease.
To promote an interchange of ideas between workers in this field, including the organisation of regular scientific meetings.
To encourage the exchange of materials and techniques between laboratories, for their mutual assistance and as a means of standardisation in appropriate areas of research.
A key focus of the Association is to develop the next generation of pulmonary researchers through the active encouragement that they are given by way of promotion at all of our meetings. Our summer meeting always includes a Young Scientist prize for the best oral presentation. At this meeting the prize was awarded to Dr. Jose Yuste, from the Centre for Respiratory Research. University College London, for his talk entitled “Serum amyloid P protects against Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia.”
The British Association for Lung Research has an active membership of over 300 pulmonary biologists and clinicians that extends beyond the United Kingdom. I would actively encourage you to investigate joining the Association. Further information can be found at http://www.balr.org.uk/