The British Microcirculation Society was founded in July 1963 "to advance the study of circulation of the blood and other tissue fluids especially, though not exclusively, in the small vessels and of matters relating thereto". The membership of more than 250 is drawn largely from the medical sciences - anatomy, biophysics, pathology, pharmacology, physiology and clinical medicine and surgery - but the pharmaceutical industry and the veterinary and physical sciences and mathematics are also represented. This spectrum of interests is one of the strengths of the Society and enlivens discussion at its meetings. The Society holds a scientific meeting and AGM each year., usually in the spring and the proceedings are published in the Journal of Vascular Research. Additionally, it contributes symposia to International and European Microcirculation Congresses which are held in the Summer biennially. It also works to advance the careers of researchers in the microcirculation by providing grants for attendance at meetings and visits to laboratories for the purpose of developing new techniques.

The British Microcirculation Society maintains close links with other national societies in Europe and with the European Society for Microcirculation and acted as hosts and organisers of the 4th, 7th, 17th and 22nd Conferences of the European Society in Cambridge (1966), in Aberdeen (1972), in London (1992)  and in Exeter (2002) and the Third World Congress for Microcirculation in Oxford in 1984. Members are kept informed of microcirculation events in both the European and international context, for example the next European meeting in Budapest in 2008. The Society is bidding to host the European Society Meeting in 2012.

BMS MEETINGS

Meetings of the Society usually consist of about 100 submitted papers and demonstrations. A specialist symposium is held on a specific topic in two parts (eg.Regulation of vascular tone, tumour microcirculation, role of free radicals in microcirculation, lymphatics, receptors in the microcirculation, inflammation, cell signalling in the microcirculation). This flanks a series of themed talks covering all aspects of microcirculation, for instance, from molecular genetics to integrative physiology by way of mathematics and evolutionary biology. Oral communications in the themed sessions are generally selected from submitted abstracts, often giving excellent opportunities to scientists in the early stages of their careers. Themed poster sessions also provide an opportunity for presentation. The interdisciplinary nature of the meeting is one of its great strengths, the social interaction and youthful vigour of the meeting is another.

BMS MEMBERSHIP

Anyone interested in research or teaching on any aspect of microcirculation is eligible for membership. A membership list and copy of the Constitution and Rules is published regularly. The annual subscription is at present 30 GBP paid by direct debit, 34 GBP by cheque and for overseas members, and 10 GBP for students.