The Phytochemical Society of Europe (PSE) was founded in 1957. Its aim is to promote the understanding of natural products in respect of their chemistry, function, biosynthesis, and effects on the physiology and pathology of living organisms. A further objective is the application of such knowledge in agriculture and industry.

Successful meetings in 2013

On June 25 – 28, 2013 the 2nd International PSE Symposium on “Natural Products in Cancer Prevention and Therapy” was organized by Prof. Virginia Lanzotti in Naples, Italy http://www.phytochemicalsociety.org/naples/program.html.

The conference took place in the historical building of the Faculty of Economy opposite Castel dell´Ovo. The programme included natural products targeting the different hallmarks of cancer, sources for new anticancer compounds from plants and marine organisms, cancer chemoprevention by dietary compounds with special emphasis on colon cancer. Plenary speakers included Profs. Vassilios Roussis, Marc Diederich, A. Douglas King-horn, Francisco A. Macías, Walter Cabri, Chung S. Yang, Satyajit D. Sarker, Miroslav Strnad, Randolf R.J. Arroo, and Anupam Bishayee. The meeting was very successful with about 110 participants. The PSE extends its thanks to Prof. Lanzotti for her efforts in organising this excellent conference.

Future meetings in 2013 and 2014

2013

The next meeting will be the Young Scientists Meeting (YSM) on the subject of Trends in Natural Products Research, to take place in Obergurgl, Tyrol, Austria, July 21-26, 2013. It will be a joint meeting with the Austrian Pharmaceutical Society and organized by Profs. Sabine Glasl-Tazreiter and Hermann Stuppner. Plenary speakers will include Giovanni Appendino, Anders Backlund, Rudolf Bauer, Christoph Carlen, Gerhard Ecker, Francisco Macías, Pascal Richomme, Satyajit Sarker and Jean-Luc Wolfender.http://www.uibk.ac.at/pharmazie/pharmakognosie/trends-in-natural-products-research/

2014

On April 27 – 30, 2014 a congress on Phytochemicals in Medicine and Pharmacognosy will take place in Piatra Neamt, Romania. The fi rst PSE meeting in Romania will be organized by Dr. Elvira Gille.

The Phytochemical Society of Europe

In order to advance phytochemical research, the PSE undertakes a number of activities:• Organisation of several scientifi c meetings each year and publication of the proceedings in the peer-

reviewed journal ‘‘Phytochemistry Reviews’’. • The PSE – Prize is awarded annually to an outstanding young phytochemist.• The Jeffrey Harborne Award is given to young scientists giving outstanding oral and/or poster presentations

at PSE Young Scientists’ Meetings.• PSE provides Travel Bursaries for young scientists to present their research at PSE meetings.

The Phytochemical Society of Europe

http://www.phytochemicalsociety.org

doi:10.1016/S1874-3900(13)00123-7

II

NOTE: Due to the fact that our agreement with APIVITA expired, there will be no PSE-APIVITA prize for 2013 provided. We are looking for a new company willing to sponsor PSE-Company prize for the next fi ve years. Interested companies should contact President of PSE Prof. Simon Gibbons simon.gibbons@ucl.ac.uk . Ideas on the topics of future meetings can be e-mailed to President as well.

Benefi ts of PSE membership

Membership of the PSE is worldwide and open to anyone with an interest in plant natural products and related fi elds. Members benefi t from:

• Reduced registration fees for PSE meetings.• Regular mailing and/or e-mailing of information.• Up-to-date information on the PSE website.• Reduced subscription rates for ‘‘Phytochemistry’’, ‘‘Phytochemistry Letters’’, and ‘‘Phytochemistry Reviews’’,

and some books.

Contact with the PSE

For details of membership, consult the PSE homepage at http://www.phytochemicalsociety.org or send an email to the Membership Secretary Prof. Francisco Macías at fmacias@uca.es

PLEASE!

All PSE members wishing to receive regular information on PSE events must send their valid e-mail address to Francisco Macías at the membership email address of fmacias@uca.es. Postal mailings from the PSE will soon cease.

Offi cers for PSE

President: Professor Simon GibbonsVice-president (outgoing): Professor Wieslaw OleszekVice-president (incoming): Professor Miroslav StrnadTreasurer: Dr. Nigel C. VeitchGeneral Secretary: Professor Franz BucarMembership Secretary: Professor Francisco A. MacíasMeetings Secretary: Professor Pinarosa AvatoWeb Editor: Dr. Randolph Arroo