BioPark Hertfordshire, Welwyn Garden City
22nd May 2009
9:00 – 9:45 Registration 9:45 – 10:00 Introduction by the Chair: Professor P.K. Das, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
10:00 – 10:45 Diagnostics of Leprosy
Dr. Annemieke Geluk, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands Preclinical M. leprae infection is a major source for leprosy transmission. Therefore, early detection of individual infected with M. leprae is crucial. However, to date there are no tests available that can identify preclinical leprosy. HLA based bio-informatic tools combined with comparative genomics recently allowed us to identify M. leprae unique antigens. Evaluation of IFN-γ responses to these antigens in endemic areas revealed antigens that are only recognized in M. leprae infected/exposed individuals. Use of such antigens in user-friendly LF assays asalternatives to ELISA-based assays to detect IFN-γ in response to M. leprae-specific antigens will contribute to prevention of leprosy-induced disabilities further transmission by otherwise undiagnosed and untreated index cases. 10:45 – 11:30 Correlates of protection in co-infections Dr. Roberto Nisini, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Italy 11:30- 11:35 Speakers photo
11:35 – 12:00 Mid-morning break
12:00 – 12:45 Global Health in the Tropics. Barriers and perspectives Prof Francesco Castelli, University of Brescia, Italy In Developing Countries a severe burden of infectious diseases caused by an array of different types of viruses, bacteria, worms and parasites is associated to poverty, malnutrition, scarce hygiene and dirty drinkable waters. These diseases share population targets, ecological niches and wide distribution with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, with extremely high public health impact. Research investments on control, prevention and drugs for diseases that are confined to poor countries are poor, even if increasing in the last decade. Strong political and scientific commitment is urgently needed to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of poverty-related diseases in Developing Countries 12:45– 12:55 Introduction to the Biopark 12:55 – 14:00 Lunch and Poster Viewing
14:00 – 14:45 Malaria vaccines
Dr. Alan Thomas , Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, The Netherlands Malaria vaccine development has reached an exciting juncture. Mosquirix, the most advanced candidate, targets a single molecule expressed in early developmental phases of the parasite. As Mosquirix enters advanced clinical trials it is timely to consider other vaccine approaches that are being considered, to set these within the context of a parasite genome of some 5000 genes and to consider the tools available to select between promising vaccine candidates and accelerate progress towards the clinic.
14:45- 15:15 Schistosomiasis: what’s being done to control it Mike Doenhoff 15:15 – 15:45 Afternoon Tea/Coffee and Last Poster Viewing
15:45 – 16:15 MHC/NK interactions and disease Professor. John Trowsdale, Cambridge University, UK 16:15 – 16:45 Differential Th responses and the implications for HIV-1 infection Dr William A Paxton, University of Amsterdam¸The Netherlands HIV-1 infection undoubtedly occurs in combination with other Diseases and since a large number of people living with HIV-1 reside in sub-Saharan Africa these will likely be TB as well as an array of parasitic pathogens, including Malaria or helminthes. How the HIV-1 develops in such individuals is still poorly understood but some in vitro data indicates that the Th stimulation profile can determine HIV-1 replication suggesting that differential immune responses May impact on the HIV-1 disease course. We are currently studying the in vitro CD4 environment and how this can influence HIV-1 replication as well assaying the stimulatory response in HIV-1
and TB co-infected individuals. Understanding better which Th responses are preferentially infected with HIV-1 may provide insight into what responses should or should not be stimulated in a successful HIV-1 vaccine.
16:30 – 17:00 Chairman’s summing up.
18:00 Soiree at *The Best Western Homestead Court Hotel for all the participants
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