Position Paper
G.Valet Sep.23,1996
There exists, however, no general forum for joint scientific presentation, information exchange and discussion of the numerous efforts in clinical and basic research cytometry of the different European countries. This is not optimal since one of the essential features for the efficient development of cytometry has always been the multidisciplinary contact at in- ternational meetings. This will be especially true for the European environment whith its urgent need for the harmonization of clinical cytometry.
The European Society for Analytical Cellular Pathology ( ESACP) was founded in 1986 as a regional society with a preferential focus on computer image analysis in histo- and cytopathology. A number of successful meetings was organized between 1986-95 (2xElmau, Nijmegen, Grenoble, Southampton Cyto95 with Royal Microscopic Society), each with several hundred abstracts and participants. The ESACP journal Analytical Cellular Pathology ( ACP) has reached a remarkable impact factor of almost 1.8 since its foundation in 1989. Despite these successes it is increasingly apparent that the preferential ESACP focus on histo- and cytopathology is too narrow for European requirements.
The installation and successful operation of the various structures shows the high dynamic potential of the cytometric discipline. Continuous reflection on the need for readaptation of the organizational forms is, however, required to favour an optimal scientific development.
Foundation of a European Federation of Cytometric Societies (EFCS) carried by the various national European cytometric societies but potentially also by formally established cytometric working groups. ACP, as a well introduced scientific journal, could serve the new federation as publication platform. EFCS members would be optionally constituted by members of national cytometric societies but equally by former ESACP members who are in favour of the new concept. EFCS would be open to other cytometrically interested scientists from inside and outside Europe. EFCS, in contrast to ISAC would, however, not have the goal to expand to a representative global membership. EFCS would center on clinical as well as on basic cytometric research in flow and image cytometry with a certain focus on European issues.
In case of a convincing consent to the EFCS foundation, EFCS could be officially founded during the ( 5th ESACP ) congress in Oslo in May 1997. Please communicate your thoughts about this issue.
G.Valet
President-Elect ESACP