Dear members, colleagues and friends,
We would cordially like to invite you to attend the 36th Annual Meeting of the EBMT, the 26th Meeting of the EBMT Nurses Group, the 9th Meeting of the EBMT Data Management Group and the 2nd EBMT Quality Management Meeting which will be held in Vienna, Austria from 21 March to 24 March, 2010.
We are also delighted to be organising the 4th EBMT Patient & Family Day which will take place on Saturday 20 March 2010 at the UniversitätWien (Vienna University campus), site of the old Vienna General Hospital, located in the centre of the city. In the rapidly evolving field of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the EBMT meeting provides a unique platform for combining the educational needs of the community with the communication of cutting-edge research findings and ideas.
The Scientific Programme will include symposia, educational sessions and workshops covering new developments in stem cell transplantation with regard to donor selection and use of stem cell source, serious transplant complications with a main emphasis on graft-versus-host disease and late effects, indications for stem cell transplantation in various diseases and disease stages, immunologic regeneration, as well as basic and translational research relevant to the field. In particular, the role of B cells in transplantation and the ageing immune system will be discussed in special sessions to enhance our knowledge in these areas. Basic research will focus on the latest developments in haematopoietic stem cell research and tolerance induction by the immunosuppressive microenvironment.
Based on last year success the pro/con debates as a platform for the presentation of controversial issues in stem cell transplantation will continue to be an important asset of the scientific programme. The plenary sessions will present exciting new data on tolerance induction by allogeneic stem cell transplantation as a platform for solid organ transplantation and the current status of research and potential clinical use of embryonic, reprogrammed and adult stem cells.
As a tribute to the outstanding activities of Prof. Alois Gratwohl on behalf of the EBMT in general, as well as for numerous Working Parties and individuals both within Europe and overseas, we are honoured to organise a workshop on safety issues for related and unrelated donors chaired co-chaired by Alois Gratwohl and Jon van Rood. On Monday, 22 March 2010 you will be able to attend an honorary lecture given by Prof. Karl Blume from Stanford, U.S.A. on “Progress in allogeneic transplantation of haematopoietic cells” acknowledging his outstanding achievements and allowing him to present both current state of the art science and future developments in the rapidly evolving field of allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
During the EBMT Opening Ceremony a very special lecture on music and medicine will be given including most recent research on the influence of music on individuals’ wellbeing during health and extreme situations of disease. Participants will experience the effects of music on a very personal level during this exciting presentation by a colleague highly skilled in both intensive care medicine and classical music.
The 26th meeting of the EBMT Nurses Group will bring together nurses from all over the world to discuss the latest developments in patient care and a number of informative sessions will discuss cutting-edge developments in the field of nursing. The joint physician/nurses session is a very popular opportunity to intensify the cooperation between these professional groups and this year’s focus will be on emerging new infections and their diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
The 9th meeting of the EBMT Data Management Group will serve as an important opportunity for interaction and training for all interested data management and statistical personnel. This year’s programme sees an increase in the number of training sessions in order to meet the needs of everyone working in these areas.
Vienna is the capital of Austria and has a long-standing record of successfully hosting international meetings. The Austria Center Vienna provides excellent conference facilities and can easily be reached from the city centre within less than 10 minutes by public transport. Participants of the EBMT meeting can enjoy all the amenities of a large city combined with an exceptional cultural heritage, including a variety of well-known museums, the famous Viennese Opera House, the Viennese Concert Hall and the city’s treasure of art nouveau architecture.
A varied social programme in the inspiring atmosphere of Vienna aims to favour interaction on all levels.
On behalf of the Local Organising Committee, we are looking forward to welcoming you to Vienna in March 2010 for the EBMT Annual meeting.
| Werner Linkesch Congress President |
Hildegard Greinix Scientific Chair |
Birgit Keinrath Local Nurse |
