WELCOME!
Lipids exert a multitude of functions that are essential for cell structure and compartmentalization, metabolism, energy homeostasis, and intracellular signaling. They are also vital mediators in endocrine, paracrine and autocrine signaling pathways.
Important classes of lipid mediators include steroid hormones, eicosanoids, platelet activating factor, sphingolipids, and endocannabinoids. Dysregulations in the synthesis, actions and metabolism of these mediators are associated with disease development and several very successful drugs emanate from insights to the role of these signaling cascades in pathogenesis. For instance, synthetic glukocorticoids are indispensable drugs against a variety of severe inflammatory conditions and aspirin as well as new generations of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are effective treatments of pain, fever, and edema. Prostaglandin analogs are used for treatment of glaucoma and in veterinary medicine. More recently, anti-leukotrienes have been marketed as a new medication against asthma and in 2010, fingolimod, which is a synthetic analog of sphingosine, was approved by FDA as a first-line drug for treatment of multiple sclerosis. Hence, research on lipid mediators is important for generation of new knowledge on the molecular pathogenesis of human diseases and development of new medicines.
The field of lipid mediators is vibrant with a series of recent breakthroughs in basic as well as clinical research and therapeutic opportunities. The mission of this meeting is to bring together the world’s leading expertise in the area for discussions of cutting edge topics, exchange of new concepts and technical advances, as well as identification of new paths and strategies for the future.
Finally, we wish to celebrate Nobel Laureate Bengt Samuelsson, his tremendous contributions to the field of lipid mediators, and the 35th anniversary of the discovery of the leukotrienes.With wishes for a memorable scientific meeting!
Jesper Z. Haeggström, MD, PhD
Conference Chair
VENUE
