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The INTERNATIONAL
UNION OF MICROBIOLOGICAL SOCIETIES is one of the 29 Scientific
Unions of the International Council of Science (ICSU).
It was founded in 1927 as the International Society of Microbiology,
and became the International Association of Microbiological
Societies affiliated to the International Union of Biological
Sciences (IUBS) as a Division in 1967. It acquired independence
in 1980 and became a Union Member of ICSU in 1982.
The objectives of the Union are to promote the study of microbiological
sciences internationally: initiate, facilitate and coordinate
research and other scientific activities which involve international
cooperation; ensure the discussion and dissemination of the
results of international conferences, symposia and meetings
and assist in the publication of their reports; represent
microbiological sciences in ICSU and maintain contact with
other international organizations.
The major goal of IUMS is to promote research and the open
exchange of scientific information for advancement of the
health and welfare of humankind and the environment and strongly
discourages any uses of knowledge and resources to the contrary.
In particular, the IUMS strives to promote ethical conduct
of research and training in the areas of biosecurity and biosafety
so as to prevent use of microorganisms as biological weapons
and therefore to protect the public’s health and to
promote world peace. IUMS seeks that all its member societies
adopt or develop a Code
of Ethics to prevent misuse of scientific knowledge
and resources.
The scientific activities of the Union are conducted by the
three Divisions of Bacteriology & Applied Microbiology
(BAM), Mycology and Virology and by six specialist international
committees, eight international commissions and two international
federations.
Their major activities include the classification
and nomenclature of bacteria, fungi and viruses, food microbiology,
medical microbiology and diagnostics, culture collections,
education, and biological standardization.
The Divisions are responsible for the organization of their
International Congresses (International Congress of Bacteriology
and Applied Microbiology, International Congress of Mycology,
and International Congress of Virology) and the commitees,
commissions and federations (COMCOFs) organize their own meetings.
The next IUMS congress will be in Sapporo Japan in 2011. BAM and Mycology on September 6 to 10, Virology 11-16 September. Visit the website of the Sapporo congresses.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DEADLINE FOR THE APPLICATIONS FOR THE SGM/IUMS FELLOWSHIPS HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL JUNE 1 2009
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