Preface
Natural products chemistry primarily involves research on organic compounds
produced by plants, animals, and microorganisms, and focuses not only on
the determination of chemical structures and biosynthesis, but also on chemical
synthesis and the development of stereoselective chemical reactions. In
recent years, developments have spread to the field of molecular biology
in particular, as indicated by the investigation of the relationship between
the structure and activity of biologically active substances, in addition
to the elucidation of the mechanisms of biological effects at the molecular
level. These achievements have facilitated corresponding progress in other
related sciences, and have contributed significantly to developments in
pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and other industries.
Meanwhile, the science of biodiversity focuses on objectives such as the
search for active ingredients in organisms and the preservation of species
and diversity, from a scientific perspective. These two fields are closely
related in their respective focuses on the diversity of organisms and the
diversity of metabolic products, and it is for this reason that the respective
conferences on biodiversity and natural products chemistry have come to
be merged, starting with the preceding event in the series, held in India.
I believe that this joint approach is highly beneficial, and sincerely hope
that this conference has provided opportunities for exchange of a diverse
range of information between the respective researchers and has contributed
to further global development of these fields.
This conference -ISCNP-25/ICOB-5-
was held at the Kyoto International Conference Hall on 23-28 July 2006,
and was officially sponsored by IUPAC and hosted by the Science Council
of Japan jointly with the Chemical Society of Japan, the Pharmaceutical
Society of Japan, and the Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and
Agrochemistry. In addition to 17 plenary speakers, lectures were also delivered
by 77 invitees of various generations, and 580 posters were presented, primarily
by younger delegates, of which 72 were supplemented by oral presentations.
In order to broadly examine various topics relating to each aspect of the
field of natural products chemistry, discussions were conducted by classifying
this diverse field into the following eight themes, thereby promoting interactions
between researchers and cooperation between related fields.
- Isolation and Structure Elucidation of Natural Products
- Synthesis of Natural Products and their Models
- Biosynthesis and Genetic Engineering on Natural Products
- Spectroscopy in Natural Products Chemistry
- Molecular Mode of Action on Natural Products and Drugs
- Chemical Biology and Related Areas
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Related to Biodiversity
- Drug Diversity and Developments
Approximately 1200 participants from 31 countries and regions attended this
conference, and exhibits from a total of 26 companies were presented in
the concurrently held exhibition. In addition, pre- and post-symposia were
held in Nagoya, Tokushima, Sapporo, Sendai, Fukuoka, and Tokyo, and the
48th Symposium of a regular series on the Chemistry of Natural Products
(in Sendai) also took advantage of the opportunity to promote more diverse
and closer interactions. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to
the aforementioned hosts, co-hosts, and many other organizations and individuals
for their support, without which this conference would not have been possible.
Finally, it is my sincere hope that this conference has provided opportunities
for the future advancement of natural products chemistry and biodiversity
science.
Daisuke Uemura
Chairman, Organizing Committee