Dear colleagues. On behalf of the Latin American Society for Artificial Organ, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering (LASAOB), we would like to invite you to submit papers and to attend to the III Latin American Congress of Biomaterials and Artificial Organs (COLAOB-2004) to be held in Campinas, São Paulo in 27-30 July, 2004.

The two past congresses, COLAOB-1998 and COLAOB-2001, were a success with more than 250 participants, with papers presented in Tissue Engineering, Biomaterials, Biomechanic and Rehabilitation Engineering, Artificial Heart and Ventricular Assist Devices, Hemodialysis and Apheresis, Physiologic Phenomena Modeling Instrumentation, Ear Implants and Cardiovascular, Dental and Orthopedics Implants. Two Artificial Organs’ special issues were published with some of the papers presented in those congresses (Art. Org. 24(3), 2000 and Art.Org., Vol. 27(5), 2003).

Following the encouraging success of the previous congresses, we have prepared an exciting program for the COLAOB-2004. Plenary sessions with top scientists and researchers have been organized to bring to the participants the new trends and state of art developments. Paper presentation will be possible in Podium Sessions or Poster Sessions, which will provide an important interaction between professionals, researchers and students from different areas. Also, pre-congress short courses will cover different topics.

During the congress, the SLABO will decide important issues, such electing the new board, choosing the host for COLAOB-2006 and defining SLABO policy for the next two years.

We look forward to see you at the congress.

Aron Andrade
SLABO President

Cecília Zavaglia
COLAOB President