Dundee To Host Conference Encouraging Alliance Within Cancer Research

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Conferences
Article Date: 21 Feb 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Key international experts to attend event aimed at further developing cancer research network

A conference aimed at improving collaborations between the various sectors of cancer research, will be hosted in Dundee this year. The second Dundee - Toulouse Cancer Research Alliance Conference will be held in the city from 12 - 14 June 2008. Approximately 250 delegates from Toulouse and Dundee are expected to attend the event which takes place as part of a wider programme to create an international cancer research network, with the aim of improving global alliances between key experts.

The conference will bring together clinicians and scientists from academic institutes and biotechnology pharmaceutical companies. Creating the opportunity for liaison between professionals from the individual areas of the cancer research sector, is crucial towards improving diagnosis and treatment of the disease as Dr Jean-Christophe Bourdon, Dundee University explains:

"Significant studies into cancer are taking place on an international scale and Dundee is at the forefront of this research. Developing collaborations on an international basis is key towards making significant progress in terms of the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Providing the occasion for experts from across the globe to liaise with one another to share ideas, collaborate and communicate, is essential towards capitalising on the value and quality of the cancer research which is being conducted.

"The creation of long term scientific co-operation between Toulouse Cancer centre and the University of Dundee is the main objective of the conference. The event will bring together experts from the diverse fields of cancer research within these two cities, with the aim of developing partnerships and fostering strong working relationships."

"The European population is ageing and cancer will affect more and more people in the next decades. Research of cancer treatment is therefore a top priority. As the second university town in France with international expertises in technology and biotechnology, the French government has invested approximately £700 million in building the largest cancer centre in Europe in Toulouse. The association of Toulouse cancer centre is a great opportunity for Dundee to extend further its leading position in cancer research in UK and Europe."

Topics to be discussed over the 3 day conference include Cell Signalling, Clinical and Translational Research, Technology, Imaging and Drug Discovery. The first Dundee - Toulouse Cancer Research Alliance conference was held in Toulouse in 2006. Over 350 delegates attended the inaugural event which provided the basis for the establishment of joint PhD programmes and an exchange programme for scientists and clinicians between Dundee University and Toulouse University.

Dundee and Toulouse Universities are two of the institutes involved in an initiative by Inserm (Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale), the French equivalent of the British Medical Research Council. Through funding research on a worldwide basis, the purpose of the initiative is to create an international network of research centres. Dundee University has established an Inserm funded laboratory as part of this project. Other Inserm funded laboratories have been set up in Japan, South Korea, Shanghai, Heidelberg, University of Glasgow and University of Harvard.

Dr Bourdon continues: "To have Dundee established within this prominent network of cancer research laboratories is indicative of the high profile reputation the city has gained for exceptional progress in cancer research. The inaugural Dundee - Toulouse Cancer Research Alliance Conference was extremely successful in forging a series of positive collaborative opportunities between Dundee University and Toulouse University. We anticipate that this year's conference will prompt further opportunities to develop strong relationships between the institutes and continue to work towards significant breakthroughs in cancer research."

Karen Tocher, manager of the Dundee & Angus Convention Bureau adds: "Hosting the second Dundee - Toulouse Cancer Research Alliance Conference further establishes the strong reputation Dundee has as a key location for conferences of this calibre. Dundee is gaining international recognition for the ground breaking work being conducted in areas such as medical research, making it the ideal venue for an event of this nature. Conferences of this level contribute significantly in terms of economic impact, with figures demonstrating that business tourists, such as conference delegates, spend three times as much as tourists visiting for leisure."

For further information regarding the Dundee - Toulouse Cancer Research Alliance Conference visit http://www.dtcancerconference.org.

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