Dear colleagues,
On behalf of the International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation Society I am pleased to invite you to the 14th International Symposium on Biodeterioration and Biodegradation (IBBS-14) to be held in Taormina-Naxos (ME, Italy) in October 6th to the 11th 2008.

The IBBS-14 Symposium is dedicated to different topics dealing with biodeterioration and biodegradation of organic and inorganic materials including cultural heritage objects, medical devices, corrosion of metals and other applied aspects such as hydrocarbons and pollutants biodegradation and techniques applied to the study of microorganisms involved in these processes.
It takes place every three years, assembling scientists from different parts of the World.
It is the first time this Symposium has been organized in Italy: and Sicily is a wonderful place to stay combining the scientific aspect of the Symposium with the unique landscape, typical Sicilian food and works of art of different époques (from prehistorique to modern time). Attendants of this Symposium will enjoy all these aspects.
The IBBS-14 scientific presentations, the poster discussion and workshops are located close to each other in a resort village and will allow close contact among the participants to discuss their own experience in addition to the scientific sessions.

Different Topics will be raised during the symposium.

We hope this meeting will be a very important event in which many of you will participate.

Clara Urzì,
Chairperson of the IBBS-14 Taormina-Naxos (Messina) 2008