Rodríguez Arellano
University of the Basque Country, Spain

David Carpenter
University of Albany, USA

Graham Dockray & Andrea Varro
University of Liverpool, UK

Roderick Scott
University of Aberdeen, UK

Alexei Verkhratsky
University of Manchester, UK

https://doi.org/10.36866/pn.90.17a

25–29 September 2012, Trabzon, Turkey

In the last week of September, 300 members of the Turkish Physiological Society and a group of foreign guests met in Trabzon. The meeting was held at Karadeniz Technical University which has spectacular conference facilities and exceptionally comfortable accommodation with views over the Black Sea. The University, founded in 1955, stands in attractive extensive woods on slopes which climb steeply from the sea.

The meeting was hosted by Ahmet Ayar, the Head of Physiology at the university, and his expert team. Physiology research and teaching are increasingly well supported in Turkey and considerable investment has gone into buildings, infrastructure and training across the country. Clear strengths have emerged and include the study of epilepsy, obesity, exercise physiology (particularly in the context of health), therapeutic aspects of cannabinoids, peptide neuroendocrinology, the physiology of reproduction, diabetes research and the study of reflex mechanisms.

The visiting guests presented research on diverse topics, including, ‘Are fish safe to eat?’, ‘Making sense of gut–brain signals’, neuroglia in health and in Alzheimer’s disease, microenvironment regulation by myofibroblast and actions and potential applications of pore-forming sponge toxins. Some of the work presented was from ongoing research collaborations between Turkish physiologists and their visitors.

The scientific sessions were punctuated with posters and great hospitality. A fine introduction to the culinary delights of the Black Sea, Trabzon and surrounding area was generously provided, with guests enjoying a dinner hosted by Ahmet Kalkan (Dean of the Graduate School of Health Sciences at Karadeniz Technical University). We were also very kindly given some gastronomic gifts, including the most delicious hazelnuts grown on the hills around Trabzon. In addition to the scientific program, very exciting cultural trips were organized to the lake at Uzungöl with its mosque and Sumela Monastery. There was even an opportunity to dance to the wild rhythms of Black Sea music. We really got a clear impression on our travels of how, historically, this area was isolated from the Anatolian interior by a wall of mountains which skirt the Black Sea. Today, there is an international feel to Trabzon with its airport, thriving university and dynamic city.