About F1000Posters

F1000Posters, an open access repository, provides a permanent, structured environment for the deposition of posters and slide presentations as well as a trustworthy venue for ongoing discussion and development of the information being presented.

The early scientific information presented in conference presentations is universally agreed to be an important resource but, unfortunately, it is almost always completely lost once a conference is over. As a result, the work is only viewed by a handful of people before it disappears, either forever or until the research is later published as a paper. Often important work never gets published, particularly if it focuses on negative results or case studies. The system of removing work from view after a conference is over represents a vast loss to the scientific community of unique and potentially valuable information.

The rise of social networking as a channel for communication is enabling the scientific community to learn more about conference posters and presentations and is extending the reach of the data presented at meetings - scientists blog and twitter about research and share information and opinions - but there are few safeguards in place.