XVII Congress of Bioengineering and VI Clinical Engineering Conference

SABI 2009 was the XVII Biennial Congress of the Argentinean Bioengineering Society (SABI – www.sabi.org.ar), celebrated along with the VI Clinical Engineering Conference. It took place in Rosario, the second city of Argentina, located on the west bank of the Parana, one of the world's most important rivers. This city, with its 150 year history and one million inhabitants, is characterized by a strong enterprising spirit. It is the agroindustrial leader of Argentina, with cereal ports recognized to be among the most active in the world, and its cereal stock exchange competes with Chicago's in international cereal pricing. Demographically Rosario presents a European profile, and there are seven national and private higher level universities in the area. SABI 2009 was the first time the Congress was celebrated in Rosario. Usually the Congress is organized by the Bioengineering Society in cooperation with a university with an undergraduate program, which Rosario lacks. To meet the needs of this exceptional case, a young local institution was asked to coordinate the Congress, the Rosario Technological Center (www.polotecnologico.net). This organization gathers together around 100 companies that produce technology, with a large number focused on IT, but those focused on biotechnology also stand out. The Center is also integrated with relevant public and government bodies. Traditionally, bioengineering has been related to human health applications, with less emphasis on applications significant to agrotechnology, an area in which Rosario is growing as an economic force. In order to address this oversight, the Congress formulated its main goals for integrating and synergizing bioengineering and biotechnology, particularly bioengineering and agrotechnology. This initiative has produced promising results. The importance of the Congress was reflected in the high number of participants – including researchers, professionals and students – from abroad, with participants from at least 12 different countries. In the three days of planned activities, more than 800 participants were registered and over 2000 people visited the associated expo. Several symposia and thematic meetings were held simultaneously. Around 207 works were presented, each evaluated by two referees, and 181 presentations were finally accepted. The organizers of the Congress proposed that the 14 best works be published in the Journal of Physics Conference Series. A few of the speakers deserve a special mention: James Lin, PhD, USA, Wireless noninvasive sensing and physiological signatures and vital signs; Luis Kun, PhD, USA, Biomedical Engineering and Global Health Transformation: A vision of opportunities and challenges; Mario Munich, PhD, USA, Avances en Robotica y Aplicaciones en Salud (Advances in robotics and health applications); Jose Folgueras, PhD, Cuba, Generacion de productos de alto valor agregado a traves del conocimiento (Generating products adding value through knowledge); Daniel Goroso, PhD, Brazil, Avanco e tecnologia en Medicina Fisica y Rehabilitacion (Advances in technology in physical medicine and rehab); Adolfo Spangenberg, PhD, Brazil, Telemedicine and Health – New perspectivas in development countries; Francisco Rojo Perez, PhD, Spain, Propiedades del Comportamiento Mecanico y la rotura de la aorta humana (Properties of mechanical behaviour and rupture of the human aorta); and Eduardo de Forteza, PhD, Argentina, La fusion del humanismo medico y la tecnologia (Fusion between medical humanism and technology), among others. We would like to thank the institutions, universities, government bodies, and private enterprises that supported and facilitated this Congress, and the members of the Organizing Commitee: Eng David Astegiano (Science and Technology State Minister), Eng Carlos Cerruti (Past President of the Rosario Tecnology Center), Eng Viviana Rotger (Past President of SABI) and MSc Guillermo Civetta (Manager of RTP). The members of the executive committee also deserve special recognition. They have made up for their lack of experience with their great effort and dedication, achieving a level of excellence: Melina Rua, Cecilia Rocha, Noelia Vergonzi, Guillermo Civetta, Ricardo Montico, Ariel Olmos, Guillermo Chavez, Marcos Vaccani, and others. Finally we thank all the presenters, speakers, exhibitors, partners and everyone who contributed to this successful Congress. The next gathering will be held in the internationally known city of Mar del Plata on 28–30 September 2011. It will undoubtedly be a continuation of this notable event which has been held annually for 30 years. Ing Dario RochaSABI and Polo Tecnologico Rosario Committees Member