Hotel Eden Roc, Sant Feliu de Guixols, Spain
12-17 June 2011
Microbes populated the earth long before any eukariotic cell. Therefore, in order to survive, mono and multi-cellular organisms had to develop mechanisms of adaptation, cohabitation and defense against bacteria, fungi and viruses. One of these mechanisms is mediated by immunoglobulins in the serum and at mucosal surfaces. B cells and their antibodies, both natural and adaptive, play a fundamental role in the immediate and late defence against microbes and in the control of the commensal microflora. They also protect the organism from viruses neutralizing them before infection. Therefore, although over the last years B cells have been considered the mere executors of the orders derived by the complex interaction between antigen presenting cells and T cells, new attention is concentrating on the humoral response. For example, B cells are now the cellular target of a new generation of vaccines against HIV, the best known T cell virus. It has been found that B cells sense the environment not only through their unique B cell receptor, but also using the more promiscuous and evolutionary ancient TLRs. This mode of recognition does not need T cells, but efficiently induces B cell activation and differentiation. Signal transduction from the TLR is now studied also in B cells. Additional complexity to the B cell field has been brought about by the discovery of microRNA and their function in normal and neoplastic development. Finally, new techniques borrowed from the development of physics allow the in vivo study of lymphocytes movement and function. Using confocal and two-photon microscopy is also possible to visualize contacts and interactions at the molecular level and verify our biochemical knowledge of the B cell “inside world”. New materials, such as nanoparticles and dendrimers, can be now used for vaccine development and a tight collaboration of biology and physics has started in order to define size, form, administration of new products and their cellular targets. The new findings in this field would be important also for companies interested in the prevention and therapy of infection and B-cell diseases.The conference aims at bringing together senior and young European scientists to discuss the newest findings with the hope of developing interests and collaborations. We also propose to invite to the conference the editors of 3 or 4 scientific journals with the highest impact factor. Most European scientists face difficulties in publishing in these journals. Apart from the quality of the manuscripts, we have the disadvantage that American science establishes trends and “fashion” indicating what is important to be published. This is partly due to the fact that the important immunological journals have the headquarters in the States and the editors, that decide whether an article is sent for review or not, are all young ex-scientists of American experience and background. Inviting the editors and organizing a mini symposium we hope to make them see and understand the type and quality of European science.
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Invited Speakers:
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Martin BACHMANN, Cytos Biotechnology AG, CH - Nanoparticles targeting dendritic cells; Yehudit BERGMAN, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, IL - Epigenetics of B-cell development; Nicolaas A. BOS, University Medical Center Groningen, NL - The site specificity of the IgA repertoire; Michael CANCRO, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, US - Roles for BLyS family members in establishing and maintaining humoral immunity; Francesca CHIODI, Karolinska Institutet, SE - Dysfunctional B cells in HIV-1 infection; Deborah DUNN-WALTERS, Kings College London School of Medicine, UK - Affinity maturation changes with age; Michael EHRENSTEIN, University College London, UK - Secreted IgM as regulator of autoimmune responses; Hiepe FALK, University of Berlin, DE - Long lived plasma cells and autoimmunity; Hana KOZAKOVA, Laboratory of Physiology, Immunity and Ontogenesis of Gnotobionts, ASCR, CZ - Amelioration of experimentally induced allergy by colonization with probiotic bacteria; Paul KUBES, University of Calgary, CA - Host- bacteria encounter in the blood vessels; François LEULIER, Institut de Biologie du Developpement de Marseille-Luminy, FR - The control of host-microbes mutualism in absence of B-cells: the Fly case;Franco LOCATELLI, Research Center, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IT; Nils LYCKE, Göteborg University, SE - Regulation of innate and adaptive immunity at mucosal membranes; Lill MARTENSSON-BOPP, The Babraham Institute, UK - The pre-B cell receptor checkpoint; Maria Angeles MUNOZ-FERNANDEZ, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Maranon, ES - Carbosilane Dendrimers in HIV infection; Almudena R. RAMIRO, Spanish National Cancer Research Center, ES - MicroRNA and the regulation of AID; Yves-Jacques SCHNEIDER, Institut des Sciences de la Vie & Université Catholique de Louvain, BE - Transport of nanoparticles to and by M cells; Idit SHACHAR, The Weizmann Institute of Science, IL - Molecular Mechanisms Regulating B cell Survival in Health and Disease; Mikael SIGVARDSSON, Linköping University, SE - Shaping-up a lineage: Molecular regulation of B-lymphocyte Commitment; Jo SPENCER, Kings College London School of Medicine,UK - Generation of diversity in mucosal immunoglobulin; Mark THROSBY, Merus, NL - Development and applications of human therapeutic antibodies in infectious disease; Hedda WARDEMANN, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, DE - The antibody repertoire of antigen experienced B cells in health and disease.
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