Small Molecules:
Skin as the First Line of Defense

The 2010 Montagna Symposium on the Biology of Skin will examine the role of small molecules in skin behaviors such as immune defense, growth and differentiation. Topics will include antimicrobial host defense molecules, inflammatory mediators, neuropeptides, microbial products, microRNAs, and “science driven medicine.” The program will examine cutting-edge scientific discoveries that can make the most of ongoing clinical trials in dermatology; recent advances in understanding the pathophysiology of skin disease; the role of epigenetics; and limitations of genetic approaches to individualized disease therapy. Experimental design and data analysis from cell culture and animal models will be merged with clinical observations that ultimately inform new questions, research directions, and cures.

Invited Speakers and Preliminary Talk Topics

Richard Eckert, Ph.D., University of Maryland s100 proteins and the skin
Peter Elias, M.D., San Francisco VA Medical Center
Neuropeptides of the skin
William Fenical, Ph.D., Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego Biochemical products of marine life and the treatment of skin disease
Richard Gallo, M.D., Ph.D., University of California, San Diego
Anti-inflammatory role of skin flora
Michel Gilliet, M.D., UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Inflammatory mediators of the skin
Barbara Gilchrest, M.D., Boston University
Oligonucleotide therapeutics
Richard D. Granstein, M.D., Cornell University
Neuropeptides of the skin
Bob Hancock, Ph.D., University of British Columbia, Canada
Science driven medicine
Thomas Luger, M.D., University of Muenster Neuropeptides and immunity
Robert Modlin, M.D., University of California, Los Angeles
Microbial products of the skin
Amy Paller, M.D., Northwestern University Nanoparticles and the skin
Katherine Radek, Ph.D., Loyola University Chicago Acetylcholine in immunity
Jens-Michael Schroeder, Ph.D., University of Kiel AMP discovery
Martin Steinhoff, M.D., Ph.D., University of California, San Francisco Neural signaling in the skin
Michael Zasloff, M.D., Ph.D., Georgetown University
Innate immunity
 

Preliminary Schedule of Events

Thursday, 10/7
Welcome reception at 6:00 p.m. followed by keynote talk
Friday-Monday, 10/8 - 10/11
Breakfast served at 7:00 a.m.
Friday-Sunday, 10/8 - 10/10

Talks begin no later than 8:30 a.m.

Friday, 10/8
Poster reception, late afternoon
Saturday, 10/9

Afternoon organized hike along the coast or bus trip to Newport Aquarium
Evening banquet dinner

Sunday, 10/10
Early evening salmon bake on the beach at the home of Diane Baker, M.D. (weather permitting)
Monday, 10/11
Departure follows Monday breakfast

Updated March 3, 2010