After his presentation, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Director Gary H. Gibbons, MD, (left) chatted with ATS 2013 attendees in the Science and Innovation Center.
The emphasis on basic, translational, and clinical science distinguishes ATS 2014 from other respiratory, critical care, and sleep medicine conferences. Clinicians not only learn what is best for their patients but also why it is best. Basic scientists often discover potential new applications for their research by listening to the challenges facing clinicians in restoring patients to health. This exchange between researchers and clinicians benefits everyone, and this year the scientific offerings at the conference are stronger than ever.
Here’s how you can dive deep into basic, translational, and clinical science.
Basic Science Core: Aging and Senscence
With the overall U.S. population expected to experience rapid growth by 2050, the number of those age 65 and older will double to 88.5 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The need for understanding the effects of aging and senescence in the lung couldn’t be greater.
The Basic Science Core track tackles this topic in thematically linked series of symposia and abstract-based poster discussion sessions that are coordinated on consecutive days. Presentations will discuss telomeres, senescence, stress, cellular and molecular determinants of the aging lung, regulation of aging, the manifestations of aging on inflammation and immunity, and the scientific breakthroughs of the year.
“Senescence is incredibly complex, and our understanding of the process continues to evolve as more discoveries are brought to the fore,” says Irina Petrache, MD, chair of the ATS International Conference Committee and the Dr. Calvin H. English professor of medicine, biochemistry and molecular biology, and vice chair of research of the Department of Medicine at Indiana University in Indianapolis. “The chairs and presenters in the Basic Science Core will bring a wealth of knowledge and direct experience to ATS 2014, from which all attendees will be able to benefit. The potential for collaboration has never been stronger.”
The Basic Science Core Track, which was enthusiastically received at its introduction at ATS 2013, is jointly developed by the Assemblies on Respiratory Structure & Function, Respiratory Cell & Molecular Biology, and Allergy, Immunology & Inflammation.
Science and Innovation Center
Scientists can network, learn about research-related resources, and consult informally with distinguished experts about study designs in the Science and Innovation Center, which will be located outside of the Exhibit Hall in the San Diego Convention Center.
Experts will discuss topics focusing on metabolomics, microbiomes, integrative genomics, thoracic imaging, functional imaging of respiratory cilia, and functional genomics. Career development opportunities include meeting with representatives from the National Institutes of Health. The center will host a reception with the presentation of the new Scientific Abstract Award. (Learn more about the networking opportunities at the center.)
Basic Science Section
Inside the Exhibit Hall, scientists will have the opportunity to learn about products or services that can help advance their research in the Basic Science Section. So far, representatives from 14 companies will be available to talk with attendees about their products and services:
- Children’s Hospital of Colorado
- Data Sciences International
- DMT-USA, Inc
- ECO MEDICS
- Epithelix
- Fidelta Ltd.
- Hans Rudolph, Inc.
- Hugo Sachs Elektronik/Harvard Apparatus
- Lonza
- MedQIA
- National Disease Research Interchange
- Somalogic
- STEMCELL Technologies
- Trudell Medical International
Additional Scientific Symposia Highlights
Scientific symposia will cover widely discussed and emerging topics, including asthma and COPD in minorities, the lung microbiome, the heme-pulmonary circulation axis, and genomic and precision medicine.
“Asthma and COPD in Minorities: Lessons from the Most Recent Epidemiologic and Clinical Studies” on May 19 will focus on recent updates in the epidemiologic, behavioral, and clinical aspects of these diseases, with data on the racial/ethnic differences in respiratory symptoms; behavioral factors that influence smoking, education and self-management, and genetic susceptibility for the development of COPD and asthma in African-American and Latino populations.
“The Lung Microbiome in 2014: State of the Art and Science” on May 18 will explore dynamic host-microbiota interactions in response to bacterial, viral and fungal communities, as well as innovative approaches to the study of microbial function and possible mechanisms of disease.
“Red, White, and Blood: The Heme-Pulmonary Circulation Axis of Inflammation, Injury, and Hemolysis” on May 19 will offer emerging concepts in pulmonary vascular disease and asthma related to blood disorders, transfusion associated cardiopulmonary complications, acute lung injury and sepsis with a thematic focus on constituents of erythrocyte breakdown as a potential underlying mechanism.
“Updates in Genomic and Precision Medicine” on May 21 will provide an up to date review of genomic and precision (personalized) medicine in the care of adult and pediatric patients with pulmonary conditions.
Learn more about the scientific offerings at ATS 2014 in the Advance Program or by visiting the ATS 2014 website.
“Asthma and COPD in Minorities: Lessons from the Most Recent Epidemiologic and Clinical Studies” (B9) is supported by educational grants from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Forest Laboratories, Inc.; Genentech; Pfizer, Inc.; and Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
“Red, White, and Blood: The Heme-Pulmonary Circulation Axis of Inflammation, Injury, and Hemolysis” (B90) is supported by an educational grant from Bayer HealthCare.