We are delighted to present the following keynote speakers:

• FRANCES M. ASHCROFT, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford, UK:
"Sweetness and Light: impaired regulation of insulin secretion in diabetes"

• KARL DEISSEROTH, Stanford University, Dept. of Bioengineering, USA:
"Illuminating the Brain"

• THOMAS J. JENTSCH, Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie MDC Berlin, Germany:
"Properties and physiological roles of the volume-regulated anion channel VRAC"

• DIANE LIPSCOMBE, Brown University, Providence, USA:
"RNA and DNA binding proteins control the composition of calcium channels in nociceptors in normal and neuropathic pain states "