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FOCIS Steering Committee
FOCIS Chair
David Hafler, MD
Harvard Medical School
FOCIS Vice-Chair
Gerald T. Nepom, MD, PhD
Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason
University of Washington School of Medicine
FOCIS Secretary/Treasurer
Jonathan Braun, MD, PhD
UCLA Medical Center
Past Chair
C. Garrison Fathman, MD
Stanford University School of Medicine
FCE Chair
Cornelia Weyand, MD, PhD
Emory University
Grant J. Anhalt, MD
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
SID Representative
Jack P. Antel, MD
Montreal Neurology Hospital & Institute
ISNI & ACTRIMS Representative
Richard S. Blumberg, MD
Brigham & Women's Hospital
CCFA Representative
Jeffrey A. Bluestone, PhD
University of California-San Francisco Medical Center
ITN Representative
Mary K. Crow, MD
Hospital for Special Surgery
ACR Representative
Charlotte Cunningham-Rundles, MD, PhD
The Mount Sinai Medical Center
CIS 2004 Representative
Mohamed R. Daha
Leiden University Medical Center
ICS Representative
Lynn K. Gordon, MD, PhD
Jules Stein Eye Institute-UCLA
AUS Representative
Vijay Kuchroo, DVM, PhD
Harvard Medical School
ISNI Rep & FOCIS Abstract Committee Chair
Peter E. Lipsky, MD
NIAMS NIH
Federal Liaison
Michael T. Lotze, MD
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
iSBTc Representative
William J. Murphy, PhD
University of North Virginia Medical School
ASBMT Representative
T. Mohanakumar, PhD
Washington University-School of Medicine
ICS Representative
Maurice R.G. O'Gorman, PhD
The Children's Memorial Hospital
AMLI Representative
Charles G. Orosz
Ohio State University Medical Center
ASHI Representative
Lanny J. Rosenwasser, MD
National Jewish Medical Research Center
AAAAI Representative
Daniel Rotrosen, MD
NIAID
Federal Liaison
Kendall A. Smith, MD
Cornell University Medical College
ISICR Representative
Warren Strober, MD
SMI Representative
Matthias G. Von Herrath, MD
La Jolla Institute Allergy & Immunology
IDS Representative
Adriana Zeevi, PhD
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
AST Representative
FOCIS Update
FOCIS Update is published four times a year by the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies. All editorial communications should be directed to:
Sarah Krause
(414) 918-3192
skrause@focisnet.org
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Dear Colleagues:
It is a pleasure to be writing this letter as the new chair of FOCIS. After tremendous contributions of time, talent and guidance, Dr. C. Garrison Fathman, is entrusting me and Dr. Gerald Nepom, FOCIS Vice-Chair to carry on his directorship. We thank Dr. Fathman for his vision and exceptional leadership that has helped bring FOCIS to the place it is today.
To further the mission of engendering cross-fertilization among the many specialty societies that are included in the broad field of clinical immunology, FOCIS held its 5th Annual Meeting in Boston, May 12-16, 2005. The meeting boasts:
- more than 1,500 participants
- delegates from 53 countries and 41 states
- 808 abstracts submitted
- 80 educational sessions
- 105 speakers
The first day of the meeting was a day for FOCIS Member Societies to hold satellite meetings. The rooms were filled to capacity as invited speakers from each society spoke about innovative discoveries within their fields.
The FOCIS Trainee Satellite Symposium (TSS) is also held on the first day of the FOCIS meeting. TSS invites two trainees who are competitively selected from each FOCIS Center of Excellence (FCE) to come together and share their research. Oral presentations from trainees are combined with presentations from leaders in the field of immunology. A poster session is held over lunch to allow for further scientific discussion.
TSS also set the stage for another change in leadership within FOCIS. Dr. David Huston turned over the chairmanship of the FOCIS Centers of Excellence (FCE) to Dr. Connie Weyand. Dr. Huston conceptualized a network of independent institutions coming together to intensify and accelerate a cross-disciplinary approach to immunologic disease. He laid the groundwork for developing the FCEs, encouraging cross-disciplinary communication and creating laboratories without walls. We thank Dr. Huston and look forward to Dr. Weyand's leadership in the coming years.
I extend my sincere gratitude to the FOCIS leaders, speakers, chairs and poster presenters whose dedication to science and immunology enriches our community and I look forward to continuing the FOCIS traditions of excellence and innovation. With your continued participation we are looking toward a bright future!
With warm regards,
David Hafler, MD
FOCIS Chair
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The scientific program is the highlight of every FOCIS meeting. Countless hours of work are conducted behind the scenes to put together a cohesive and cutting-edge program. Special thanks are extended for the hard work of the Organizing Committee Chairs: Richard Blumberg, MD, Brigham & Women's Hospital; Vijay Kuchroo, DVM PhD, Harvard Medical School; Megan Sykes, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital. Thanks also to the FOCIS 2005 Abstract Review Committee and Online Review Committee.
FOCIS 2005 Highlights - Photo Gallery
Great Science
Speakers from around the globe gathered to share novel science in the field of immunology. Sessions were packed with attendees eager to hear the newest research outcomes and recommendations. Attendees could be seen scurrying from one session to another to hear a specific talk.
Eric Lander presents
novel research
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Distinguished Lecture
Dr. Eric Lander, lauded genomics researcher, spoke as a part of the Distinguished Lecture on the last day of the meeting. He gave a comprehensive and thought provoking presentation on genomic information and the implications for medicine.
FOCIS Leaders Jerry Nepom,
Joan Goverman and Megan Sykes
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Black Tie Gala
The Black Tie Gala was held Thursday, May 12 following the Member Society Satellite Meetings and the Trainee Satellite Symposium (TSS). The Gala provides a venue for the Member Society leaders, TSS participants, FOCIS leaders and industry supporters to gather in a social setting to discuss the day's events.
This was the best research conference I have
ever attended.
-FOCIS 2005 delegate
FOCIS Announces 2006 Meeting Dates
FOCIS 2005 was filled with enthusiastic speakers and novel science and innovation. We hope to rival the excellence at FOCIS 2006:
June 1-5
San Francisco Marriott
Abstract submission opens - November 1, 2005
Abstract submission deadline - January 20, 2006
Please visit www.focisnet.org for more FOCIS 2006 information and to submit your abstract online.
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I found TSS and the meeting very informative, well organized and in a great venue.
-FOCIS 2005 delegate and TSS participant
Continuing the Tradition of Excellence:
The 2nd Annual Trainee Satellite Symposium
TSS Participant, Ali Jabbari
and FCE Director Elizabeth
Field, University of Iowa
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The 2nd Annual Trainee Satellite Symposium (TSS) brought together 58 trainees from 34 FOCIS Centers of Excellence (FCE) across the globe. TSS provides an international forum for trainees from the FCE to come together and share their science.
Congratulations to the following trainees who were selected for oral presentation:
Dr. Tarek Fahmy; Targeting of Antigen Specific T cells with Macromolecular Conjugates (pictured below)
FCE: Yale University Director: Jordan Pober
Dr. Jing Hua; Presence of Interferon-a in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Plasma is Highly Correlated with Expression of Interferon Target Genes in SLE PBMC
FCE: Hospital for Special Surgery Director: Mary Crow
Dr. Mona Kosboth; B-Cell and Dendritic Cell Perturbations in the Fingerprinting of SLE
FCE: University of Florida Director: John Valentine
Dr. Kristi Kuhn; Antibodies to Citrulline-Modified Proteins Enhance Tissue Injury in Inflammatory Arthritis
FCE: University of Colorado Director: George Eisenbarth
Dr. Paul Lizzul; Differential Expression of Phosphorylated NF-kB/RelA in Normal and Psoriatic Epidermis and Downregulation of NF-kB in Response to Treatment with Etanercept
FCE: Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center Director: Alice Gottlieb
Dr. Douglas McDonald; Characterization of an Immunodeficient Patient with TLR7, 8, 9 Defects
FCE: Children's Hospital Boston Director: Raif Geha
Dr. Christina Nance; Binding of the Green Tea Polyphenol, Epigallocatechin Gallate, to the CD4 Receptor on Human CD4+T cells Resulting in Inhibition of HIV-1-gp 120-Binding
FCE: Baylor College of Medicine Director: David Huston
Dr. Kevin O'Connor; High-throughput Analysis of Autoantibodies Recognizing Myelin Antigens in Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis
FCE: Brigham & Women's Hospital Director: Paul Anderson
Dr. Mindi Walker; De Novo Generation of Antigen-Specific CD4+CD25+Regulatory T cells from Human CD4+CD25-Cells
FCE: University of Washington Director: Keith Elkon
Two posters were selected for recognition based on the quality of the scientific material presented. Congratulations:
Dr. Estelle Bettelli; A New Spontaneous Mouse Model for Human Devics Disease
FCE: Brigham & Women's Hospital Director: Paul Anderson
Dr. Ashutosh Mangalam; HLA A-11/KboDbo Transgenic Mice are Susceptible to PLP41-60 Induced Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE)
FCE: Mayo Clinic Director: Hirohito Kita
It was a wonderful opportunity for me to hear all the wonderful talks
and attend the sessions.
-FOCIS 2005 delegate and TSS participant
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Post Meeting Materials
Agilent Technologies is pleased to present the FOCIS 2005 Science Compendium CD including presentations on Immunostimulatory Oligosaccharides, Rheumatoid Arthritis and isolation RNA from whole blood. To receive more information please visit: www.agilent.com/chem/FOCIS2005
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Thank You!
FOCIS gratefully acknowledges the continued support of its funders. This support allows FOCIS to continue to fulfill its mission to foster interdisciplinary approaches to both understand and treat immune-based diseases, and ultimately, to improve human health through immunology.
Please click here for more information about FOCIS 2006 sponsorship opportunities!
Thank you to the FOCIS 2005...
Industry Liaison Council
Abbott Immunology
Affymetrix
Agilent Technologies
Beckman Coulter
Biogen Idec
Boehringer Ingelheim
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Centocor
Genentech
Wyeth
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Major Supporters
BD Biosciences
The Dana Foundation
IBM
Illumina
Immune Tolerance Network
National Institutes of Health
Teva
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Contributing Supporters
American Autoimmune Related Disease Association
Jeffrey Modell Foundation
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
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We look forward to seeing our industry partners at the Fall Planning Meeting, Friday, September 16, La Jolla, California. Contact Gail Bast, gbast@focisnet.org for more information.
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News You Can Use
FOCIS Winter Meeting Changes Shape
The FOCIS Winter Meeting, held in February of the last two years, has provided a forum for FOCIS Center of Excellence (FCE) Directors to network and determine the direction of the FCE. Last year FCE Directors were joined by Network of Consortia (NOC) participants.
The FCE Directors meeting will now be held on the Wednesday before the FOCIS Annual Meeting. This change in venue will provide a chance for the directors to meet on Wednesday to conduct FCE Business and attend the Trainee Satellite Symposium (TSS) with their trainees on Thursday.
The 2006 Winter Meeting will offer the NOC the option to hold private consortia meetings on either Thursday, February 2 or Saturday, February 4. Friday, February 3 will bring together the different consortia to discuss best practices, commonalities and protocols. Interested FCE Directors as well as clinicians within the FCE are invited to join Saturday's meeting. Watch your email for details!
FOCIS Winter Meeting
February 2-4, 2006
Sonesta Hotel & Suites
Coconut Grove, Florida
Reaching Across Clinical Barriers
The FOCIS Network of Consortia (NOC) is gearing up for their second year. The NOC is a group of consortia with diverse disease specializations whose purpose is to create a forum to share research methodology, best practices and lessons learned.
The 2005 NOC consists of the following five consortia and representative FOCIS liaisons:
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Judy Cho, University of Chicago
- Multiple Sclerosis, Genetics - Amy Garrett, MIT/Broad Institute
- Immune Tolerance Network: MS, Diabetes and T cell - Vicki Seyfert-Margolis
- Lupus/Rheumatoid Arthritis - Barbara Mittleman, NIH
- Type 1 Diabetes, Genetics - Steve Rich, Wake Forest
A NOC Web Advisory Task Force will create an internet source for its members to interface about scientific discoveries, research methods and contact information. The Web site is scheduled to be up and running by the middle of July. Please contact Sarah Krause, FOCIS Program Manager for more information.
Educating Clinicians
Created by Drs. Abul K. Abbas, UCSF and Hidde Ploegh, Harvard University, Basic Immunology for Clinicians: Update has taken flight. Two placements of the course, one at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Meeting in San Antonio taught by Drs. Andrew Lichtman and Shiv Pillai and one at the FOCIS Annual Meeting in Boston taught by its originators, have received rave reviews from the immunologic community.
The six-hour course is updated with new information every year and comes complete with a course book, CD-ROM and CME credit.
I learned a lot! Love the mouse vs. human points!
-Basic Immunology for Clinicians: Update 2005 attendee
Advanced Course Launches in 2006
A new program that takes basic immunology a step further is the Advanced Course in Basic & Clinical Immunology. This 4-day course is targeted at fellows-in-training, clinical scientists interested in an update and researchers in industry. Twelve invited speakers will lecture on subjects rooted in basic biology with clinical relevance. Topics will range from innate immunity to B-cells to evening panel discussions on career development. The Advanced Course is an in-depth introduction to immunology with an emphasis on the basic biological underpinning of important human immunological diseases.
Online registration will begin in August!
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Mark your calendars!
March 15-18, 2006
James Hotel
Scottsdale, Arizona
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Please visit www.focisnet.org for more information on the Advanced Course and other FOCIS Educational Programs.
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Do you have an idea for a story or news item
you would like to see in the next FOCIS e-newsletter?
Please contact Sarah Krause, FOCIS Program Manager with your suggestions!
FOCIS Center of Excellence Events
Bench to Bedside Seminar
The University of California - San Diego Clinical Investigation Institute, in association with Nature Medicine is sponsoring a "Bench to Bedside" seminar focusing on translational research in autoimmunity. A full program listing and registration information can be found at http://cme.ucsd.edu/b2b. The meeting will be held September 15-17, 2005 at Estancia Hotel, La Jolla, Calif.
Welcome Aboard!
FOCIS and the FOCIS Centers of Excellence (FCE) welcome the newest additions to the FCE Network: Dr. Chaim Putterman and Dr. Jane Salmon.
Dr. Putterman will be taking the FCE Director position previously held by Dr. Betty Diamond at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Diamond is currently the FCE Director at Columbia University. Dr. Salmon will be succeeding Dr. Mary Crow at the Hospital of Special Surgery. We look forward to the leadership of these two new FCE Directors.
We want to hear from you! Please contact us with news from your FOCIS Center of Excellence. Contact Sarah Krause, FOCIS Program Manager and FCE Liaison to have your news included in the next e-newsletter!
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FOCIS Member Society News and Events
AAAAI Annual Meeting - ST*AR Program
http://www.aaaai.org/members/grants_awards/aaaaigrantsawards/star_travel.stm
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) is proud to introduce a new travel grant award program for the 2006 AAAAI Annual Meeting. The goal of the Strategic Training in Allergy Research (ST*AR) Program is to provide US and Canadian PhD candidates and PhD post docs with an opportunity to investigate research and career opportunities in the field of allergy and immunology. The AAAAI Annual Meeting provides an excellent forum for those interested in translating basic science advances into clinical practice.
Visit www.focisnet.org for the latest grant and award information!
CIS Summer School
The Clinical Immunology Society (CIS) is accepting applications for its fourth Summer School on Primary Immune Deficiency to be held October 13-17, 2005 in Miami, Florida. The School is geared toward fellows in training, with a primary goal of education in the diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment of primary immunodeficiency diseases. For more information and to apply please go to http://www.clinimmsoc.org/meetings/summerschool05/. Applications must be submitted by July 12, 2005.
Please contact us with new from your FOCIS Member Society. Contact Sarah Krause, FOCIS Program Manager to find out how to have your information posted in the next e-newsletter.
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Open Positions
• Post Doctoral Fellow and Instructor - Brigham & Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School
Description: To study the molecular and cellular mechanisms of autoimmune disease. Projects focus on therapeutic target identification in autoimmune disease. Special emphasis on macrophage biology linked to autoimmune lupus, and novel co-stimulatory pathways. The position is within the Department of Medicine, Renal Division of Brigham & Women's Hospital.
Requirements: MD or PhD required as well as a background in immunology along with a preferred background in molecular and/or cell biology.
Contact: Dr. Vicki Rubin Kelley, Harvard Institutes of Medicine, 4 Black Fan Circle, MA 02115
Fax: (617) 525-5830, Email: vkelley@rics.bwh.harvard.edu
• Staff Scientist - 4005 - Genzyme Corporation
Description: Oversee the design, development, and validation of assays used to support clinical immunogenicity testing. These assays include but are not limited to ELISA, RIA, western blot, neutralization and radioimmunoprecipitation techniques. There is an additional emphasis on technical report writing and making scientific presentations.
Requirements: Must have a high degree of independence and motivation along with a strong background in development of ELISA, western blot, gel electrophoresis, and protein purification techniques along with knowledge of the appropriate methods for data analysis. Candidates should demonstrate experience handling multiple priorities with aggressive timelines providing both technical and planning oversight. Experience with GLP and FDA guidelines is preferred. The successful candidate will have a BS and 10 plus years experience or a MS with a minimum of 8 years industrial experience, including at least 3 years managing personnel in an assay development setting.
Contact: For fast consideration, please apply on line by pasting the following URL into your browser: http://www.genzyme.com/corp/careers/fulltime_positions.asp and copying the requisition number above into the Requisition ID. Please note FOCIS meeting as your source.
• Scientist Staff I - 4971 - Genzyme Corporation
Description: Oversee the design, development, and validation of assays used to support clinical sample testing. These assays include but are not limited to ELISA, western blot, neutralization and enzymatic techniques. There is an additional emphasis on technical report writing and making scientific presentations.
Requirements: The selected candidate must have a high degree of independence and motivation, a strong background in assay development and a working knowledge of the appropriate methods for data analysis. Candidates should demonstrate experience handling multiple priorities with aggressive timelines. Experience with GLP and FDA guidelines is preferred. The successful candidate will have a PhD with a minimum of 3 years assay development experience in an industrial setting, or an MS with a minimum of 8 years industrial experience.
Contact: For fast consideration, please apply on line by pasting the following URL into your browser: http://www.genzyme.com/corp/careers/fulltime_positions.asp and copying the requisition number above into the Requisition ID. Please note FOCIS meeting as your source.
Please contact us with your job postings! Contact Sarah Krause, FOCIS Program Manager to post an advertisement in the next e-newsletter.
FOCIS Centers of Excellence
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Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Director: Dr. Chaim Putterman
Baylor College of Medicine
Director: Dr. David P. Huston
Brigham & Women's Hospital
Director: Dr. Paul Anderson
Children's Hospital Boston
Director: Dr. Raif S. Geha
Cincinnati Children's Hospital
Medical Center
Director: Dr. Alexandra Filipovich
Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Director: Dr. Brian Mandell
Columbia University
Director: Dr. Betty Diamond
Dartmouth Medical School
Director: Dr. Lloyd Kasper
Duke University Medical Center
Director: Dr. John S. Sundy
Emory University
Director: Dr. Jorg J. Goronzy
Hospital for Special Surgery
Director: Dr. Jane Salmon
Mayo Clinic
Director: Dr. Hirohito Kita
McGill University
Director: Dr. Emil Skamene
Robarts Research Institute
& Western University
Director: Dr. J. Madrenas
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Director: Dr. Alice B. Gottlieb
Stanford University School of Medicine
Director: Dr. C. Garrison Fathman
University of Alabama - Birmingham
Director: Dr. Robert P. Kimberly
University of California - Los Angeles
Director: Dr. Bevra Hahn
University of California - San Diego
Director: Dr. Arthur Kavanaugh
University of California - San Francisco
Director: Dr. Jeffrey A. Bluestone
University of Chicago
Director: Dr. Stephen Hanauer
University of Colorado
Health Sciences Center
Director: Dr. George Eisenbarth
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University of Florida
Director: Dr. John F. Valentine
University of Iowa
Director: Dr. Elizabeth H. Field
University of Miami
Director: Dr. Jay Skyler
University of North Carolina
Director: Dr. Dhavalkumar D. Patel
University of Pennsylvania Medical School
Director: Dr. Arnold I. Levinson
University of Pittsburgh
Director: Dr. Scott Plevy
University of Rochester Medical Center
Director: Dr. Christopher Ritchlin
University of Southern California
Director: Dr. Chaim Oscar Jacob
University of Washington - Seattle
Director: Dr. Keith B. Elkon
Washington University
Director: Dr. Wayne Yokoyama
Yale University
Director: Dr. Jordan S. Pober
Ghent University Hospital
Director: Dr. Eric M. Veys
Giannina Gaslini Institute
Director: Dr. Lorenzo Moretta
Institute of Immunology of Central University Medical School
Director: Dr. Nicolas E. Bianco
Institute of Immunology Czech Republic
Director: Dr. Jirina Bartunkova
Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas
y Nutrición Salador Zubirán
Director: Dr. Jorge Sanchez-Guerrero
Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals
Director: Dr. Helen Chapel
Rostov-on-Don State Medical University
Director: Dr. L. Sizialana
Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
Director: Dr. Sara Kashef
Université Libre de Bruxells Hopital Ersme
Director: Dr. Michel Goldman
University Hospital of Freiburg
Director: Dr. Hans-Hartmut Peter
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© 2005 FOCIS
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