Symposia 2008
At EB 2008, the LWIC sponsored a symposium titled: "IBS and Chronic Constipation: Mechanisms and Novel Treatments," held on the afternoon of April 7, 2008. This symposium focused on mechanisms of two GI disorders that affect 15-25% of the US population, as well as novel treatments being developed for these debilitating diseases. Speakers were Michael D. Gershon, William E. Whitehead, Charles Baum and Caroline B. Kurtz. The topics covered included: enteric nervous system and IBS and constipation, IBS and chronic constipation: clinical studies and treatments; treating chronic constipation and IBS-C; the role of CIC-2, and Guanylate cyclase activation restores GI function. This is the eighth symposium sponsored by the Committee. We are pleased to report that the feedback on the symposium was quite positive. Peak attendance was ~90 people, and attendants related that they enjoyed and appreciated the mix of academia and industry provided in the symposium. Moreover, the topic has not been previously presented as an oral symposium at EB, and the symposium was perceived as timely and up-to- date due to recent events in the treatment of these diseases. Several attendees requested that a similar symposium is hosted every other year.
At EB 2008, the LWIC co-sponsored the Translational Physiology symposium entitled, "Recent Advances in the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldostertone System for the Investigation and Treatment of Hypertension," held on the morning of April 6, 2008. This symposium displayed the "bench-to-bedside" scope of translational research by highlighting recent findings from transgenic mice, local renal angiotensin II production and function, as well as clinical trial data and the advance and clinical application of a renin inhibitor. Speakers were Tom Coffman, L. Gabriel Navar, R Townsend, and A Charney. The topics covered included: insights into the role of the RAAS in hypertension from transgenic mice; the renal intratubular/interstitial renin-angiotensin system in hypertension; insights into the role of the RAAS in hypertension from clinical trials; and the renin inhibitor aliskiren for the treatment of hypertension. This was the second translational symposium organized by the Committee. We estimate attendance to the symposium was at least 150 people. In addition, the Translational Group passed out surveys to the meeting attendees to obtain feedback on the content of the presentations.
The 8th Annual Physiologists in Industry Mixer was held April 6, and was well-attended. Promotional documents were distributed at the mixer, which may be beneficial for recruiting potential new members. In addition, the slide deck created by the Committee was projected in the room allowing some discussion and mentoring of new scientists on Drug Discovery and Science in industry. The LWIC Committee would like to continue to distribute these handouts at the next year's mixer and include information on APS Websites, APS benefits, education and career programs, APS committees' nomination forms, as well as educational materials used by Industry scientists.
Novel Disease Model Award
The award typically recognizes one graduate student ($500) and one postdoctoral fellow ($800) submitting the best abstract describing a disease model that is novel or promises application to the drug discovery process. Three students and five postdocs applied (a total of five abstracts were received in 2007, an increase by three from last year). The top two abstracts included a student and a post-doc, and awards in both categories were given.
Symposia 2009
The LWIC wishes to continue its annual tradition of sponsoring high quality symposia relevant to industry and academic scientists, the committee proposed a symposium on "Molecular Imaging of Physiological Processes in Drug Discovery" for EB09. The symposium is chaired by Craig F. Plato and has commitments from four leading scientists in the field. The Committee also proposed a Translational Physiology symposium on "Fibrosis: Signaling, Physiology, and Therapies." The symposium will be chaired by Kelly R. Pitts and has commitments from three leading scientists in the field.