Mathematical and theoretical biology is an actively pursued area in India. Along with several Mathematics departments at different universities and institutes, it is now also practiced in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Engineering departments. Here mathematics and computational methods are used to describe biological phenomena, develop novel methods/algorithms, and make insightful applications of mathematics in elaborating the designs and mechanisms of biological processes.

The Society for Mathematical Biology (SMB) is an international society which exists to promote and foster interactions between the mathematical and biological sciences communities through membership, journal publications, travel support and conferences. For a short history see http://www.smb.org/governance/smb_history.shtml. Its international World Outreach programme is responsible for starting several national societies in different countries to spread this highly interdisciplinary area among larger communities.

The Government of India has invested deeply in the creation of new institutes in the country such as the IISERs (Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research) that promote interdisciplinary research. Mathematical biology thus has a special role to play in the new environment.

This International Conference on Mathematical and Theoretical Biology to be held at Pune, India is actively supported by the SMB. It aims to brings together scientists and students from India to discuss recent advances in mathematical and theoretical biology, and also interact with international speakers. We welcome you to this SMB - IISER Pune International Conference on Mathematical and Theoretical Biology to be held during January 23-27, 2012 at Pune, India.

Focus Areas:

Pattern formation
Physiology/Neurobiology
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Ecology and Epidemiology
Education
Genetics and Evolution
Intracellular processes (genetic and biochemical networks)
Oscillations and Chaos (Dynamical Systems)
Stochastic Processes

and more...