On behalf of the National Institute of Biology and the Local Organizing Committee of Marine Biology Station Piran I am pleased to welcome all participants to the 11th Symposium on Aquatic Microbial Ecology in Piran, Slovenia, from August 30 to September 4, 2009.

The symposium has been organized for the year of the anniversary of Charles Darwin, whose ideas on "survival of the fittest" and selection during evolution are being discussed by many biologists and microbiologists even today. We know now that microbes are the most abundant organisms on the planet and have vital roles in the global ecosystem, driving the biogeochemical cycles that affect climate and the cycling of elements and nutrients to other organisms. The role of microbes is still far from being fully understood and it is important to continue the tradition of previous SAME (Symposium on Aquatic Microbial Ecology) meetings in discussing the importance of novel microbial pathways in aquatic environments.

The symposium activities will embrace different aspects of research in aquatic microbial ecology, offering opportunities to share information among ecologists, molecular biologists, biochemists, and all those in related areas. During this symposium we will hear a number of interesting presentations and discuss recent progress in this field, but also highlight future trends and research directions in the field of aquatic microbial ecology. The programme consists of ten sessions focused on Microbes in microbial biogeochemical cycles, Organic matter transformation, Sediment microbiology, Operational taxonomic units in microbial ecology, Climate change and aquatic microbes, Microbial interactions and communication, Viral Ecology and Modeling in aquatic microbial ecology.

The symposium is organized by the Marine Biology Station Piran (MBS) which was established in 1969 and within which research into microbial ecology represented an important part of its activity.  MBS, situated on the northern shore of the Bay of Piran, is today part of the National Institute of Biology and is the only marine research group in Slovenia. MBS has a long tradition of research and welcoming guest scientists. The symposium will be held at the nearby Hotel Bernardin, close to the medieval city of Piran, with its narrow streets, typical architecture and Mediterranean atmosphere, and not far from Portorož, a well known tourist resort with sandy beaches, hotels, restaurants and bars.

The SAME secretariat would like to express its gratitude and acknowledgement to all organizations and companies for their generous support of the symposium.

Last but not least I would like to thank my colleagues from the local organizing committee and all members of the International Organizing Committee for their support and help.