The traditional series of European Conferences on the Cell Cycle was initiated with a ' Micro-Symposium' in 1970 by Eric Zeuthen (Copenhagen). Further meetings were held at various places throughout Europe every two to three years. Our last meeting, the 11th ECCC, was organized by Lilia Alberghina at Gardone Riviera, Italy, in 1997 followed now by the 12th European Cell Cycle Conference in the Alpine ski resort of Mayrhofen/Zillertal. Research on the molecular mechanisms governing cell proliferation and division is one of the most dynamic fields in biological science today. Besides revealing the intricate molecular mechanism of a fundamental phenomenon of life, it strongly influences related areas of biomedical research, e.g. molecular aspects of aging and human cancer. The main goal of this Conference is to provide a platform, particularly for young scientists, to present and discuss most recent advances in this fast-moving field of cell cycle research. The scientific programme is designed to convey a comprehensive view of current lines in cell cycle research, including potentially important aspects which are less well recognized, such as 'Cell Cycle Regulation in Plants'. A special lecture sponsored by the International Federation of Cell Biology is devoted to this topic by Gerd Ju Β¨rgens (Tu Β¨bingen), and will be published in this journal (Cell Biology International). Sixteen invited lectures and about 90 free communications cover a wide range of topics related to cell cycle research, from DNA-Replication, Molecular Mechanisms of Checkpoints, Proteolysis in Cell Cycle Control, Molecular Mechanisms of Mitosis, Apoptosis, through to the Cell Cycle and Cancer. All invited speakers are leading experts-among them recipients of prestigious scientific awards-who have largely influenced the continuing acceleration throughout the field of cell cycle research. The close contact between young scientists and leading experts is particularly facilitated by the intimate atmosphere of the conference site and the combination of scientific sessions with an informal social programme including outdoor activities (skiing, etc.), similar to the well-known 'Keystone Symposia' in Colorado, U.S.A.
The publication of all the abstracts before the meeting would not have been possible without the hard work of the Editor of Cell Biology International, Denys Wheatley, who also created the new logo of the European Cell Cycle Conferences. On behalf of the organizers of the 12th ECCC, I want to thank him for his generous support and keen advice.