In addition to this technological breakthrough, the conference will feature an overview of PI and four plenary sessions that detail the immense progress that has been made within the last 20 years. Advances include the high success rate for bone marrow transplantation for unrelated, matched donors and treatments using gene therapy. In addition, researchers are optimistic that stem cell research may yield new treatments in the future. The conference coincides with the 20 year anniversary of the Jeffrey Modell Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to PI research, physician education and patient support.
Among the highlights of the conference are:
Max Cooper, M.D., Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL.
Topic: "Evolution of Immunology - Where is the Future," an overview on the progress made from the nearly hopeless state of diagnosis and treatment of PI 20 years ago versus the startling advances of today.
Jennifer Puck, M.D., Division of Immunology & Rheumatology, University of California, San Francisco.
Topic: "Translating Research Advances--Detecting Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID) Early Through Newborn Screening," a report on a joint venture between NIH, Affymetrix Inc. and the Jeffrey Modell Foundation in developing genetic screening for SCID using microarray technology.
Chaim Roifman, M.D., Division of Immunology & Allergy, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto
Topic:
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Source:New York Academy of Sciences