Cryopreservation Symposium

[Mark Farmer]

ANNOUNCEMENT:

An International Symposium on the Cryopreservation of Algae will be
held on the University of Texas Campus in Austin, Texas,  on April 16
- 17, 1998. The symposium will bring together individuals who have
successfully cryopreserved various groups of algae, along with
individuals who are interested in cryopreserving their eukaryotic
and/or prokaryotic algal collections. The purposes of the symposium
are (1) to disseminate information regarding practical methods for
cryopreserving prokaryotic and eukaryotic algae and (2) to encourage
those responsible for, or interested in, long-term maintenance of
algal collections to adapt cryopreservation technologies for
maintaining archival stock.

Although several presentations will summarize current knowledge
regarding plant and algal cryopreservation, the main focus of the
Symposium will be discussions of current effective algal
cryopreservation protocols and new directions that may lead to
improved success. Each session will include problem-solving
discussions of unresolved difficulties in cryopreserving algae. Topics
for discussion will include: - Equipment and supplies most useful for
algal cryopreservation - Conventional and non-conventional
methodologies for algal cryopreservation - Minimum acceptable
viability and methods for measuring viability - Algal groups easy and
difficult to cryopreserve - Unique problems related to differing algal
morphologies and culture requirements - Mechanisms of lethal and
sub-lethal freeze/thaw injury

Conference registration cost is $50 for participants whose
registration information and payment reaches the conference organizers
prior to February 1, 1998, and $75 thereafter.  For registration forms
and further information regarding the conference please contact:

         Alexandra Crutchfield:  e-mail: <almc at mail.utexas.edu>

                        Department of Botany
                        University of Texas
                        Austin, TX 78713

                        Telephone:      512-471-1589
                        FAX:            512-471-3878

Message provided by Jerry Brand,
Symposium co-organizer and Associate Director
UTEX Culture Collection of Algae