The 2010 SPIM congress, organised by Greentech and held in Vichy between 17 and 19 November, brought together around 100 participants. This biennial international congress is intended for scientific researchers in the public (university physiologists, biochemists and pharmacologists) and private sectors (industrialists), as well as dermatologists and other healthcare professionals.
It aims to create a stimulating environment within which large-scale scientific players from across the world can exchange ideas and analyse the latest advances in skin physiology. This year's participants enjoyed the many interesting discussions generated by presentations of new research avenues and topics relating to the skin and its constituents, functions and associated pathologies.
TOPICS DISCUSSED AT SPIM 2010:
Stem cells: Professor Yann Barrandonfrom Lausanne delivered a presentation on the multi-potentiality of epithelial cells
Neuronal skin sensitivity: Tomas Lugerfrom the University of Munster directed discussions of the neurocutaneous system
The endocannabinoid system: including a presentation by Professor Mauro Maccarrone from the University of Teramo
Antimicrobial defence mechanisms and skin barriers: discussions led by Peter Eliasfrom San Francisco
Molecular and structural biology of the skin: Guy Serre (Toulouse) delivered a presentation on corneodesmosin, and François Maquart(Reims) presented matrikins
Skin microflora: discussions directed by Jean-Paul Latge. As at the 2008 SPIM, the contribution of young researchers was highlighted at this year's event. Nine young researchers, selected from a wide range of candidates by a panel of scientists, were given the opportunity to present their work before the assembly. Others were able to display posters explaining their work.
The panel awarded two €10,000 prizes for particularly outstanding contributions: one for work on the gene code of skin barrier proteins, and the other for research into the influence of mesenchymal stem.
www.skin-meeting.com
