Chemical Ecology
Chemical Ecology deals with the chemistry of biotic interactions, that is, the structural, mechanistic and evolutionary aspects of the study of chemicals that mediate interactions among organisms. This area of research is necessarily interdisciplinary, integrating among other disciplines, the fields of ecology, analytical and synthetic chemistry, molecular biology, entomology, pest management, behavioral ecology and neurobiology.
History
The association was formalized during the 6th Brazilian Meeting of Chemical Ecology (held from December 1-4, 2009 in Viçosa, MG). The minutes of the founding act can be accessed here (Portuguese version only). The bylaws which were approved by the General Assembly held during the 1st ALAEQ meeting in Uruguay in october 2010, can be downloaded here (Spanish version).
The Association met for its second ALAEQ meeting in 2012 in Córdoba, Argentina, and again last year in Bogotá, Colombia. Both meetings were highly succesfull, both academically and socially, with 120-150 participants and excelent academic programms. Before each meeting (2nd and 3rd), online elections were held to partially renovate the board, and the executive board as well as the general assembly of members met during the meetings. The next meeting will be the first joint ALAEQ-ISCE meeting, which will be held in Foz de Iguazú, Brasil.
Vision
The purpose of ALAEQ is to promote the interactions between scientists of the subcontinent, who are dedicated to the study of the role of naturally occurring compounds which mediate interactions between organisms and their environment. Research areas include the study of structure, function, synthesis and biosynthesis of natural products related to organisms, their importance at all levels of ecological organization, their evolutionary origin and their practical application.
The formation of ALAEQ is another step towards establishing Chemical Ecology as an important part of the Latin American science. To reach this goal, we wish not only to strengthen the interaction between Latin American researchers, but also need to rely on contacts with scientists from outside the subcontinent. There is a myriad of problems in Latin America which are waiting to be studied with Chemical Ecology tools, and consequently there is much space for existing and future collaborations. ALAEQ intends to be a platform for regional collaborations and a bridge into the subcontinent for ISCE and APACE members.