June 2005

Regenerative ocular biology the focus of ARVO Conference

Abstract deadline extended

Rockville, Md. – The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) has extended the deadline for abstract submissions to June 24, 2005 for the Western Eye Research Conference (WERC) to be held September 25-28, 2005, in Laguna Beach, Calif.

The 2005 WERC, "Regenerative Ocular Biology: Restoring Vision in the Aged and Diseased Eye," will feature presentations on current frontiers of regenerative biology and its foundation within vision research. Topics will include stem cell biology; scarless wound healing; and control of cell growth and differentiation by gene transfer. The Plenary Speaker will be Fred H. Gage, PhD, of The Salk Institute. Keynote Speakers will be Jean Bennett, MD, PhD, Mark W. J. Ferguson, BSc, DDS, PhD, FDS, FFD, FMedSci, CBE, Mark Humayun, MD, PhD, Mark Keating, MD, Robert Lavker, PhD, Bjorn R. Olsen, MD, PhD, and James Zieske, PhD. The conference will provide an interactive environment for the translation of ideas and collaboration between the general biomedical research community and vision scientists.

James V. Jester, PhD, of University of California, Irvine, and Corinne G. Wong, PhD, of SCLERA Corporation, are the meeting's organizers.

To submit an abstract or register to attend the conference, logon to www.arvo.org/werc or contact Rhonda Williams at 240-221-2908 or [email protected].

Established in 1928, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc. (ARVO) is a membership organization of more than 11,300 eye and vision researchers from over 70 countries. The Association encourages and assists its members and others in research, training, publication and dissemination of knowledge in vision and ophthalmology. ARVO's headquarters are located in Rockville, Maryland. The Association's Web site is www.arvo.org.