What does the ICSP do?
The International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes (ICSP), formerly the International Committee on Systematic Bacteriology (ICSB), represents the interests of all microbiological disciplines with respect to the nomenclature of prokaryotes. It does so since almost a century.
- The ICSP publishes the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP), which regulates how all prokaryotes are named.
- The ICSP's Judicial Commission issues expert Judicial Opinions concerning matters related to interpretation of the ICNP.
- The ICSP provides a platform for subcommittees to address issues of prokaryote systematics.
- Last but not least, the ICSP ensures the publication of its journal.
The ICSP does not regulate taxonomy, it at most provides taxonomic recommendations. This and other common misunderstandings are addressed in the ICSP's FAQ, among other documents.
Contact
If possible please contact us via our LinkedIn account. If otherwise, please contact the ICSP Chair or Executive Secretary for general inquiries regarding the ICSP. For questions concerning a Subcommittee on Taxonomy, an Ad Hoc Subcommittee or the Judicial Commission, please contact their chair or secretary. For general questions regarding subcommittees, please contact the Secretary on Subcommittees on Taxonomy.
Organisation
The International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS) is one of the unions of the International Science Council (ISC) (formerly ICSU), which is a non-governmental organisation with a unique global membership that brings together a large number of international scientific unions and associations and national and regional scientific organisations, including academies and research councils.
Each Member Society of the Bacteriology & Applied Microbiology (BAM) Division of IUMS is entitled to appoint at least one Full Member to the ICSP, who will represent this national or international microbiological society. The ICSP also contains Co-Opted Members and Life Members. These and other organisational aspects of the ICSP are set out in its statutes:
