Research into diatoms commenced with the advent of the light microscope in the early 19th century and progressed to an advanced state in the 1950s. Since then the application of many new techniques, in electron microscopy, biochemistry, molecular biology and sediment dating, to name a few, has provided additional stimulus to the study of these micro-organisms which play a vital role in marine and freshwater ecosystems. Their siliceous cell walls are amongst the best preserved micro-fossils and thus feature greatly in micro-palaeontology and its applied aspects, such as climate interpretation. Ease of culture has also led to considerable use of diatoms in physiological, cell biological and biochemical studies.

Until 1970 there was no focal point for diatomists worldwide although they have always been busy correspondents and well-infomed of each others contributions. In 1970 a gathering together of 15 participants in a symposium on recent and fossil marine diatoms was organised by Reimer Simonsen at Bremerhaven, Germany. Also present were:

George Andrews (U.S.A.), Leopold Benda (Germany), Lloyd Burckle (U.S.A.), Gerhard Drebes and Johannes Gerloff (Germany), Grethe Hasle (Norway), Norman Hendey (England), Taro Kanaya (Japan), Dietrich König (Germany), Robert Ross (England), Hans-Joachim Schrader (Germany), Alain Sournia (France), Sam VanLandingham and Walter Wornardt (U.S.A.).

This was the first of a series of biennial symposia that visited London, Kiel, Oslo and Antwerp before the scope of the symposium was broadened to include work with non-marine diatoms at Budapest. By this time the number of people attending the meetings had increased some ten-fold and subsequent symposia were organised at Philadelphia, Paris, Bristol, Joensuu (Finland), San Francisco, Renesse (Netherlands), Maratea (Italy), Tokyo, Perth (Australia), Athens, Ottawa,  Miedzyzdroje (Poland), Listvianka (Siberia) and Dubrovnik (Croatia).

Surprisingly, in view of the long history of research, there was never an International Society serving all diatomists whatever their interest until the Bristol meeting in 1985 where the ISDR was formed and its first officers elected. At this meeting it was also decided that the biennial business meeting of the society would take place at the biennial symposia which would from that time be organised through the society. At Bristol it was also decided that the society would support its own journal which would be floated and published in two parts annually by Biopress with Frank Round as the executive editor. The 23rd volume has now appeared and Diatom Research now provides a focus for the continuing development of all fields of research on diatoms. It also draws together much work which until now has been scattered, often in relatively inaccessible publications.

September 16th 2007 ::