A Short History of the "Chemistry towards Biology"

In 1997 Zvonimir Maksić, Boris Kamenar and Lucio Randaccio discussed the possibilities of reviving scientific collaborations in the South West European countries after the decay and fall of Yugoslavia. Based on the traditional ties between Ljubljana, Trieste and Zagreb it was concluded that the first of the series of biannual meetings should take place in Trieste. It was organized by Lucio Randaccio at the University of Trieste in 1998 as the CIS chemistry meeting involving researchers from Croatia, Italy and Slovenia.

The next ACIS meeting was organized by Zvonimir Maksić on Brijuni islands in 2000. In addition to chemists from Austria, a number of leading guest-scientists from the Central European countries, including Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, have been invited too. Several important decisions were made at Brijuni meeting. First, the symposium should become Central European one encompassing countries mentioned above. Building on the similar cultures, educational systems and existing scientific contacts, it should contribute to efficient collaboration, better use of large equipment, mobility of young researchers and, last but not the least, it should lead to joint projects. Secondly, the symposium should be focused on chemistry related to molecular biology according to suggestion of Ivano Bertini. This was accepted and the idea of the Central European Chemistry towards Biology symposia was born!

Hence, the Brijuni meeting was a precursor of the whole Series and ignition for the first one organized in Portorož (Slovenia) in 2002.

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