The Genesis of ISOTT

Abstract

The International Society on Oxygen Transport to Tissue (ISOTT) was founded in April, 1973 by Drs. Duane F. Bruley and Haim I. Bicher. Dr. Bruley first wanted to sponsor an international symposium on oxygen transport to tissue to highlight the research activity between his group at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina and Dr. Melvin H. Knisely’s group at the Medical College of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina. At the same time it was hoped to honor Dr. Knisely for his ingenious development of the Quartz Rod Crystal technique for observing blood flow in-vivo. In discussions with Dr. Knisely’s wife, Verona, it was decided to sponsor a meeting that was jointly held at Clemson and Charleston. When Dr. Bicher returned from an extended trip abroad, he agreed to join the effort and he organized the program from the Medical College while Dr. Bruley handled all arrangements at Clemson University.

After getting an overwhelming response to their initial call for papers from the international community, Drs. Bruley and Bicher made the decision to found an International Society. They then decided on a name, developed the society logo, assigned a mission, developed a charter, sketched the by-laws, and selected charter members to comprise the first international committee. The unique characteristics of the new society were to include a focus on inter and cross-disciplinary research involving theoretical and experimental investigations of oxygen transport to tissue. The intent was to bring life scientists and engineers together to examine the many complex phenomena of normal tissue growth and maintenance as well as tissue survival and repair under pathological conditions.

Drs. Bruley and Bicher solicited Dr. Melvin Knisley as an honorary first President of the Society. At the meeting April 22–28, in Charleston/Clemson the first elected president was determined to be Dr. Melvin H. Knisely. It was decided that in alternate years the meeting would be held in the United States and otherwise in Europe or Asia. The society has met around the world and is now celebrating its 25th Anniversary.