KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

David Artis, PhD
Director, Jill Roberts Institute for Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease , Michael Kors Professor of Immunology, Department of Medicine, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology Co-Director, Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York City, USA Dr. Artis is a highly regarded, prominent scientist whose work represents the most exciting, fast moving area of biomedical research. He investigates the interface between commensal bacterial populations and host immune responses. His laboratory has shown that inflammatory diseases such as IBD are profoundly affected by the resident bacteria in the Gut. And such inflammatory diseases are strongly regulated by the newly identified cell type, innate lymphoid cells. It is remarkable that in these efforts, Dr. Artis bridges preclinical research to patient based studies, skillfully executing translational research, critically required in the field.

Sarah Gaffen, PhD
Gerald P. Rodnan Professor of Rheumatology, Division of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University of Pittsburgh. Sarah Gaffen is one of the world experts on the structure and function of the interleukin-17 receptor system, and the consequences of IL-17 signaling for in human health and disease. The Gaffen Lab works on understanding the basis for immunity to infections and autoimmunity. Specifically, the lab is trying to define mechanisms of signal transduction by cytokines and their receptors. The main focus is the interleukin-17 superfamily of receptors. Her research is aimed at defining the molecular and biochemical structure-function relationships in the IL-17R complex, as well as the role of Th17 cells at the oral mucosa.

Arlene Sharpe, MD, PhD
George Fabyan Professor of Comparative Pathology, Interim Co-Chair, Microbiology and Immunobiology, Co-Director, Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA The major interest of the Sharpe laboratory is to study functions of T cell costimulatory pathways and their immunoregulatory roles in controlling the balance between T cell activation and tolerance. Costimulation is of therapeutic interest because manipulation of T cell costimulatory pathways may provide a means either to enhance immune responses (to promote anti-microbial or tumor immunity) or terminate immune responses (to control autoimmune diseases or achieve tolerance for tissue transplantation).

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS