New heights and horizons in fostering proteomics in central and eastern Europe

The annual Central and Eastern European Proteomic Conference can be considered as the bedrock of proteomics in central and eastern Europe and, since its creation, has seen an incredible growth in proteomics. The term 'Central and Eastern European Proteomic Conference' (CEEPC) was coined by the founder members of this series of conference including Josef Chmelik (1953-2007), Suresh Jivan Gadher and Hana Kovarova, over discussions about the apparent lack of visibility of proteomics in central and eastern Europe, as well as infrequent meetings and almost total lack of international collaborations. With trepidation, the 1st Central and Eastern European Proteomic Conference was organized in Prague in 2007 with resultant huge success. The intervening years saw the CEEPC grow and expand, and it now represents a cradle of proteomics interactions in and around central and eastern Europe, nicely linking it to the whole world. The 6th CEEPC in Budapest was attended by 150 participants and excelled once again at promoting proteomics at the highest level.