Alpha-1 Foundation Announces International Research Conference In Barcelona To Mark 50th Anniversary Of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Discovery

The Alpha-1 Foundation announces the first biennial International Research Conference on Alpha-1 Antitrypsin to be held in Barcelona, Spain, on April 11-12, 2013. Scientists, researchers and clinicians from around the world will join to commemora

Miami, FL (I-Newswire) February 20, 2013 - The Alpha-1 Foundation announces the first biennial International Research Conference on Alpha-1 Antitrypsin to be held in Barcelona, Spain.

Scientists, researchers and clinicians from around the world will join to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the discovery of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, and the scientific advances that have been made.

“This is a fitting occasion to inaugurate a series of scientific conferences designed to summarize the state of the art in selected areas of alpha-1 antitrypsin research by assembling investigators with relevant expertise,” said Adam Wanner, scientific director of the Alpha-1 Foundation and co-chair of the International Research Conference.

The focus of the Barcelona conference will be the biology and potential treatment of liver disease associated with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Among the noted researchers who will present their latest findings are Stuart Forbes of the U.K., Bruno Christ of Germany, Nicola Brunetti-Pierri of Italy, and Jeffrey Teckman and David Brenner of the U.S.

Swedish researchers Carl-Bertil Laurell and Sten Eriksson first published their discovery in April 1963, that low levels of the alpha-1 protein in human blood plasma were related to early-onset lung disease and appeared to have a genetic basis. Eriksson will attend the scientific conference and will be honored for his pioneering work.

Concurrently with the research conference, the 4th International Alpha-1 Patient Congress will be held in Barcelona April 12-13. Patients will join the research conference in a joint session on Friday, April 12. This session will provide researchers with the unique opportunity of interacting with the greatest stakeholders in their work, the patients themselves.

Complete list of speakers and topics: www.alpha-1barcelona2013.org/research-conference.

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About the Alpha-1 Foundation:
The mission of the Alpha-1 Foundation is to provide the leadership and resources that will result in increased research, improved health, worldwide detection, and a cure for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. For more information, visit www.alpha-1foundation.org.