The International Organization for Mycoplasmology (IOM) was founded in 1976 as a nonprofit organization and exists to promote the cooperative international study of mycoplasmas (Mollicutes) and mycoplasmal diseases and to disseminate knowledge about their characteristics, effects, transmission, and control. The society of about 500 microbiologists, clinicians, biochemists, entomologists, plant pathologists, veternarians, geneticists, scientists actively encourages personal contacts and information exchange by a variety of activities. Among them are the IOM's sponsorship of biennial international scientific congresses, publication of its scientific proceedings, awarding international travel grants for students to attend its meetings, supporting workshops for the study of mycoplasmal techniques, publishing a quarterly newsletter and now a home page on the Internet.

To advance mutual goals and interests, the International Research Program of Comparative Mycoplasmology (IRPCM)(formerly a consultative group sponsored by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations) was affiliated with the IOM in 1986. The IRPCM is a permanent standing committee of the IOM and has special status. It is composed of over two dozen specific interest working-teams that meet with regularity. The teams analyze and summarize recent developments in their respective interest areas, such as, mycoplasma arthritis, avian mycoplasmas, cell culture mycoplasmas, molecular genetics, phytoplasmas, ureaplasmas. Their deliberations and consultations are published in a comprehensive and extensive biennial report comprising the entire field of mycoplasmology. The IRPCM places some emphasis on pathogenesis, vaccine development and the mycoplasmal diseases of domestic animals and plants.

Members of the IOM also constitute the International Committee on Systematic Bacteriology Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of Mollicutes. This body makes recommendations on minimum standards for the description of the class Mollicutes to the microbiological community via the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria.

Celebrating its 37th year in 2013, the IOM extends its committment to both advance membership in its society and foster an understanding of the characteristics and role of the Mollicutes in nature. By this website, the IOM seeks to encourage and support young and established scientists within an international and interactive consortium that encompasses human, animal, plant, and insect microbiologists involved or devoted to the study of the Mollicutes.

IOM Congresses are held every two years at various venues around the world. Information on the location of past congresses and future congresses can be found in this web site.

IOM Web   http://www.iom-online.org/