Dr Jenny Blamey, professor at the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology described the 13th International Thermophiles Meeting as a very important opportunity for the development of research at Universidad de Santiago and in the country. Worldwide prominent figures in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, biocatalysis and biotechnology, participated in the conference. This is the first time that this global meeting is held in South America and Dr Blamey was in charge of the organization.
In her closing speech, Dr Jenny Blamey, professor at the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology of Universidad de Santiago, evaluated this global meeting as a very important opportunity for the development of research at Universidad de Santiago and in the country.
Dr Blamey highlighted the scientific importance of this conference that always leaves its imprint on the research centers and the countries where it is held. This also happened in our university and it should be reflected on the country.
During the activity, worldwide leading scientists in this field presented their top-notch studies.
These experts in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, biocatalysis and biotechnology informed about the progress in their specialities, in order to have a better understanding of thermophiles.
The Thermophiles International Conference is a global meeting held every second year. For the first time the meeting was carried out in South America, under the general supervision of Dr Blamey, and with the support of an efficient team who coordinated different tasks for the organizing bodies: Bioscience Foundation and the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology of Universidad de Santiago.
The program included sessions on topics like genomics and biochemical processes, keynote lectures and poster presentations.
International experts like Dr Karl Stetter, Dr Michel Adams and Dr Juergen Wiegel met with students, researchers and Chilean and foreign scientists.
They shared their questions and their knowledge about the last developments and potential biotechnological applications of thermophiles, which are considered key to science development in our country and the world.
A space for discussion and proposals
“For Universidad de Santiago de Chile, hosting and promoting this type of activity is essential, since our purpose as a public, state and complete university is to create, preserve, disseminate and apply knowledge for the welfare of society,” Dr Juan Manuel Zolezzi, President of Universidad de Santiago, said.
The Thermophiles 2015 International Conference contributed “To our institutional essential work, as it became a space for discussion and proposals, in a multidisciplinary and pluralistic dialogue; on this occasion, in the field of extremophiles, a new important field worldwide, not only for biological sciences but also for industrial biotechnology,” he added.
For his part, Dr Gustavo Zúñiga, Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology, highlighted the importance of having been selected to organize the activity and receive these distinguished scientists, and give the students the opportunity to ask questions and talk to them.
Translated by Marcela Contreras
