
ADRENAL GLAND STRUCTURE: Chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla (green), labeled with an antibody against Tyrosine Hydroxylase. This micrograph was made by Stefanie Geisler of the University of Innsbruck.
THE CHROMAFFIN CELL ENCLOSES A MULTITUDE OF CHROMAFFIN CELL VESICLES: intracellular sacs containing adrenaline or noradrenaline and a variety of proteins and peptides. The large oval body is the cell. The subcellular features were highlighted by the freeze-structure technique. This micrograph was made by Wolfgang Schmidt of the University of Innsbruck.
About the ISCCB
The International Symposium on Chromaffin Cell Biology (ISCCB) is a biennial, international meeting dedicated to adrenal chromaffin cells and their broader relevance to cellular and neurobiological function. Established in 1982 on the island of Ibiza, the symposium has since rotated across countries worldwide, reflecting a diverse and active community.
Each ISCCB typically brings together 120-180 participants from Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Australia. More than half are early‑career scientists. The program balances invited lectures with abstract‑selected talks and poster sessions, and it includes dedicated forums showcasing innovative experimental and analytical methods-often led by young investigators. The format fosters open discussion and collaboration across disciplines.
Scientific themes span stress signaling and the fight‑or‑flight response, alongside core principles of chromaffin cell physiology and function: ion channels, receptors, intracellular signaling, cytoskeletal organization, membrane trafficking, vesicle fusion, and neurotransmitter release. Methodological highlights include electrophysiology (e.g., patch‑clamp and capacitance measurements), amperometry, high‑resolution imaging, and computational modeling.
Beyond chromaffin cells, ISCCB features related research on exo‑ and endocytosis, synaptic transmission, vesicle fusion machinery, vesicular contents, and ion channel function across diverse cell types-from neurons to immune cells-using in vitro and computational approaches. The symposium’s goal is to facilitate scientific exchange, spark new collaborations, and support the next generation of researchers.
Previous meetings
2025: Detroit, Michigan
2022: Hamburg, Germany
2020: Chennai, India
2017: Sheffield, UK
2015: Cairns, Australia
2013: Rouen, France
2011: Beijing, China
2009: Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
2007: Sestri Levante, Italy
2006: Pucón, Chile
2003: La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain
2001: San Diego, California, US
1999: Bergen, Norway
1997: Sapporo, Japan
1995: Edinburgh, Scotland
1993: Montebello, Ontario, Canada
1991: Marburg, Germany
1989: Jerusalem, Israel
1987: Alice Springs, Australia
1986: Coolfont, West Virginia, USA
1984: Colmar, France
1982: Ibiza, Spain