Bangkok, Thailand - -The National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) – Bangkok International Conference on Avian Influenza 2008: Integration from Knowledge to Control is designed for senior management, researchers, medical center providers and private sector groups involved in the poultry sector. The symposium focuses on genomics and bioinformatics of influenza viruses, influenza transmission, human influenza, diagnosis, vaccine production and development, and impact on socio-economy.
Scientists and researchers in the area of virology strive to make improvement on Influenza virus vaccine. For this reason, it is necessary to be aware of the status of vaccine improvement. Recently, we caught up with Prof. Dr. Palese to ask him about his upcoming talk at the Bangkok International Conference on Avian Influenza 2008: Integration from Knowledge to Control (23-25 January 2008) in Bangkok.
“Can we improve Influenza virus vaccines?”
By Prof. Dr. Peter M. Palese
Professor and Chair, Microbiology
Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, USA
What is/are the highlight(s) of your speaking topic?
I will discuss improvements of live and killed influenza virus vaccines to be used in humans for pandemic as well as inter-pandemic periods. Reverse genetics and better adjuvant are important tools to achieve that goal. I will also point out that we need better influenza virus vaccines for animals, especially for poultry.
What will the participants gain from attending your speaking session?
As the threat of a human pandemic remains real, scientists, veterinarians and people involved with public health measures will benefit from a discussion of the issues dealing with influenza virus vaccines. It is commonly accepted that the major public health approach to deal with inter-pandemic and pandemic influenza is vaccination. Thus, many participants including lay people and the press should be interested in this topic.
For complete detail on registration and conference details, please log on: www.biotec.or.th/AIconf2008 or contact Conference Secretariat at email: [email protected]