Arizona Respiratory Center Sponsors National Institutes
of Health Program on the Genetics of Lung Disease
The Arizona Respiratory Center, a Center of Excellence at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, is sponsoring a one-day course on Wednesday, Feb. 27, featuring leading researchers in the genetics of lung disease. Speakers will include faculty from the Arizona Respiratory Center, Harvard Medical School and the University of Washington.
The course is designed for physicians, scientists and students and will take place at the Sheraton Tucson Hotel and Suites, 5151 E. Grant Road. There is no registration fee and those wishing to attend can register at http://resp-sci.arizona.edu/pgacourse.
The Arizona Respiratory Center is one of 11 recipients nationwide of a Program for Genomic Applications grant from the National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. This grant, awarded in 2000, builds on the knowledge of the Human Genome Project by discovering the genes relevant to heart, lung and blood disease. With this grant, the Arizona Respiratory Center is specifically examining gene variations that contribute to asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), myocardial infarction (heart attack), and deep venous thrombosis (DVT).
"The knowledge that is uncovered by this research holds the keys not only to develop better treatments for these diseases but also ultimately to prevent them from developing in the first place. The course that we are offering is an opportunity for physicians, scientists and students to learn about the advances we have made in understanding the genetics of lung disease. By disseminating this knowledge we hope that further discoveries will be made and that cures will be found for the most common respiratory diseases, " says Donata Vercelli, M.D., Associate Director Arizona Respiratory Center, University of Arizona College of Medicine.
Asthma is reaching epidemic levels in children and one in 10 need to be treated for this debilitating condition. Chronic obstructive lung disease is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. and more than 15 million Americans are affected.
The Arizona Respiratory Center was designated the first Center of Excellence at the UA College of Medicine in 1971. Today, it is an internationally known Center that combines the highest caliber of research, clinical care and teaching. The Arizona Board of Regents recently approved changing the Center's name to the Arizona Respiratory Center to reflect its expanded scope. The Center is nationally recognized as one of the top institutions for respiratory care.
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