Introduction
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| Picture of box jellyfish, Tripedalia cystophora, provided courtesy of Anders Garm, Lund University |
The Animal section of the SEB has a diverse range of interests on whole organism biology, and also includes considerations of the links to cellular process at lower levels of biological organisation, but also associations between physiology, locomotion and behaviour in the context of ecophysiology or ecology. However, the core theme is the biology of the whole organism.
The animal section is split into special interest groups from the view point of managing our affairs, but scientifically these boundaries are not fixed, and the groups do share scientific events and interests. The groups include biomechanics, osmoregulation, animal respiration, neurobiology, and animal genomics.
The Biomechanics group explores the fundamentals of how animals move, the structures and processes involved, and the bioenergetics of locomotion. The SEB probably hosts the largest gathering of scientists in the field each year, and so biomechanics is of considerable international importance to the society. The osmoregulation group is one of the oldest groups in the animal section, and has been established for decades. Originally, the group was focused on salt and water balance in animals, especially fish, but also amphibians, reptiles, birds and aquatic mammals. Of course, “Osmoregulation” as a science has moved on, and although we keep the original name much of our current work is on the molecular basis of ion transport and osmoregulation, the endocrine control of osmoregulation and the effects of stress. The Respiration Group has similar historic roots in comparative respiratory physiology, and has an international reputation in this field. The group maintains a fundamental interest in cardio-respiratory physiology of animals, also works at the molecular level, but equally is interested in making measurements on animals in the wild. The Neurobiology group explores this topic using a comparative and molecular approach, as well as working at the whole organism level. The neuroscience literature is arguably dominated by studies on human or mammalian models, and yet the diversity and complexity of nervous systems is vast, and there is much we can learn from insects and other invertebrates, as well as lower vertebrates. The Neurobiology group is unique in offering this comparative perspective on an international basis to the scientific community. The Endocrinology group offers a comparative approach, and the SEB is one of the few venues to host this topic in its own right, in what we believe, is an import discipline of comparative biology. No other society offers the complete package of biological control (neurological and endocrine) from a comparative basis at the same venue.
The SEB is always horizon scanning for emerging new topics. With the advent of genomics, the SEB was one of the first societies to establish a genomics special interest group. This topic has moved on to other ‘omics now, and the SEB is in the process of revamping this group to reflect the broader issues of the ‘omics (proteomics, metabolomics, and systems biology) and it is likely that this interest will strongly overlap with those in the Cell Biology section of the society.
The SEB Animal Section has lots to offer. Our meetings offer top quality science, and are organised efficiently by experienced scientists with the support of excellent staff at the SEB HQ in London. Importantly, our meetings are informal and relaxed, so that we can promote debate and discussion. We also recognise the importance of young scientists, these are the future of science, and we must invest in these researchers. We therefore actively seek to involve PhD students, research assistants, and post-docs, as well as the internationally recognised top researchers in each sphere of our activity. New members are always welcome, and any member of the SEB can make suggestions on topics for future meetings. Please forward suggestions to the animal section secretary or one of the group convenors. We are also open to collaborations with special interest groups in other societies, where they can benefit from our broad comparative base, and our long expertise at organising meetings.
Picture of box jellyfish, Tripedalia cystophora, provided courtesy of Anders Garm, Lund University.
