We are pleased to welcome you to the information pages for the 11th International Tardigrade-Symposium 2009 which will take place in Tübingen from 3. - 6. August.

The Symposium well be taking place in Germany for the third time and for good reasons: 80 years ago the German zoologist Ernst Marcus (1893-1968) discovered and described the Heterotardigrada. However, there is another anniversary which we whish to celebrate. 50 years ago, in 1959 David Keilin coined the term 'cryptobiosis' (hidden life) and defined it as "the state of an organism when it shows no visible signs of life and when its metabolic activity becomes hardly measurable, or comes reversibly to a standstill".

Tardigrade biology is a rich, integrative science that brings together taxonomy, biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, physiology, developmental biology, and more. The 11th International Tardigrade-Symposium 2009 will reflect the technological advances in the challenges of tardigrade biology from taxonomy to biotechnology. This international symposium will not only act as a stage for this very essential presentation of current work, but also as a place where scholars, researchers, and specialists can get together to discuss future research directions, potential collaborations and technological advancements. It will also be a great opportunity for everyone attending to increase their network of people. Looking back into history is of great value, but looking into the future is quite interesting, too. In these days we have great possibilities to use methods and state of the art techniques in order to break new ground in tardigrade research. To our colleagues, working with Onychophorans we cordially invited you to join us and bring papers and expertise on these interesing 'cousins' of the Tardigrada.

Welcome to the 11th International Tardigrade-Symposium 2009 in Tübingen!

Dr. Ralph O. Schill
Universität Stuttgart
Biologisches Institut, Zoologie
Pfaffenwaldring 57, D-70569 Stuttgart
T: +49 711 685-69143, F: +49 711 685-59143
E: ralph.schill@bio.uni-stuttgart.de
I: www.tardigrada-symposium-2009.org
I: www.funcrypta.de