Hobart hosts top biomedical experts from China and Australia
Hobart hosts top biomedical experts from China and Australia
World-leading biomedical experts from China and Australia met in Hobart today to share their research findings and exchange new ideas as part of the third Australia-China Biomedical Research Conference (ACBRC).
World-leading biomedical experts from China and Australia met in Hobart today to share their research findings and exchange new ideas as part of the third Australia-China Biomedical Research Conference (ACBRC).
The satellite meeting, Inflammation and Chronic Diseases, brought together clinicians, scientists, young researchers and postgraduate students, to review recent progress on some hot topics in the world of medical research.
Held at the Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, the meeting attracted over 70 delegates, who heard from 17 speakers, including Monash's Professor Eric Morand and the State's own Prof. Graeme Jones, Prof. James Vickers and Menzies' Director Prof. Simon Foote.
Prof. Foote said recent genetic, biomedical and immunological breakthroughs had provided new insights into the pathogenesis (the mechanism by which the disease is caused) and therapies for inflammatory disorders.
"It is well known that inflammatory mechanisms are involved in many chronic diseases, such as rheumatic, cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological and metabolic diseases, as well as cancer," Prof. Foote said.
"There is a constant need not only to keep abreast of and develop new scientific approaches, but also to identify adequate and effective clinical strategies for the prevention and treatment of chronic inflammation.
"Today's meeting focused on building a unique program of basic science, applied biology and clinical research, where state-of-the-art views on recent advances in inflammation related diseases were fostered."
Among the international speakers at the meeting was Prof. Graeme Jones from Menzies, who spoke on the evidence suggesting interleukin 6 (IL-6), a protein produced in the body, as a key target for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
"There is now sufficient evidence through key clinical trials to recommend targeted drug therapies involving the blockade of IL-6 in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other musculoskeletal diseases," Prof Jones said.
Associate Professor Changhai Ding, the Chairman of the Organising Committee said the meeting had brought 25 Chinese academic leaders to visit Tasmania and will help to build potential collaborations between Chinese leading universities and the Menzies Research Institute Tasmania.
"I am looking forward to setting up collaborations between Peking University and Menzies Research Institute Tasmania," Prof Zhanguo Li, President-elect of Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology said.
The Australia-China Biomedical Research Conference is organised by the Australia Chinese Association for Biomedical Sciences (ACABS) - a not-for-profit, non-political and independent body aiming to promote international collaborations between Australia and China.
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