IPC 2008 - Probiotics for the 3rd Millennium

Ladies and gentlemen,

Probiotic research has achieved exquisite rise in the last period of time. Reaction of scientific – research community on the health situation, possibilities and disadvantages of prevention and therapy of diseases by synthetic preparations has been reflected in the progress of probiotic research. Unfavourable situation has developed particularly in accordance with the usage of antibiotics. Their side effects and enormous increase of antibiotic resistence cause justified concerns of scientific public. These mentioned reasons have led to prohibition of antibiotics’ use as the growth stimulators in food for livestock in the countries of European Union. Probiotics represent one of the effective alternatives of antibiotics and it is expected that interest in them will be gradually increasing worldwide.

7 years ago, these facts have led us to establish a tradition of international scientific conferences with repetition of every 4 years in Slovakia dedicated to probiotics. The first conference which was held in the year 2000 in High Tatras has raised big interest. The second probiotic conference was organised in the year 2004 in the metropolis of Eastern Slovakia, Kosice. All the efforts of the event organizers were awarded by the attendance of delegates from 34 countries.

Both conferences created suitable place for interchange of scientific knowledge and contributed to establishing new work contacts which directed to long term cooperation with successful results. The participants of the1st International Probiotic Conference from Finland, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Brazil and Slovakia prepared a common proposal of international project to The Fifth Framework Programme of European Union. Work and personal contacts established during both conferences still last. Attendees of the second probiotic conference from Germany, Finland and Slovakia have found their common interest and path to each other by valuable book publications issued during the last two years.

Nowadays, expanding research of Probiotics intensively brings new knowledge. This fact in particular is a strong motivation for the organisers to prepare another scientific event – The 3rd International Probiotic Conference which will be held on 4th – 7th June 2008 at High Tatras (Mountains). The conference programme will focus on presentation of actual knowledge in probiotics research, application of probiotics in nutrition, prevention and cure of diseases, technology and safety of probiotics.
Attendees from all over the world are invited to experience interesting and actual topic discussions, attendance of great invited speakers, presentation of new knowledge, beauty of Slovakian mountains, hospitality and heartiness of Slovakian people.
Although there was a wonderful working and social atmosphere at the previous conferences we hope that the level of the third International probiotic conference will be even higher and more successful.

We are looking forward to meet you in Slovakia.

Alojz Bomba
President of the Conference