Estonian Genome Foundation cordially invites you to participate in the

4th Annual International
Gene Forum 2003
"50 Years of Double Helix"
September 12-13, 2003, in Tartu, Estonia

Biotechnology leads the way in medical innovation by confronting life’s most threatening illnesses. Hundreds of biotechnology drugs and vaccines are in human clinical trials and many more in early development. Nearly every human disease is under attack by thousands of dedicated researchers all over the world.

To date, the explosion of new data from the sequencing projects has yielded more questions than disease therapies, but that should change as genomics and proteomics researchers’ understanding of how molecules interact and respond to environmental stress grows when we’re healthy or sick.

The Estonian effort to collect health and genetic data from hundreds of thousands of Estonians, formally known as the Estonian Genome Project (www.geenivaramu.ee), could steer the course of science in new directions. By filling out a database serving as the foundation of new genome-based diagnostic tests and drugs, the Estonians could provide a valuable tool for underpinning the underlying genetic causes of human diseases.

Gene Forum 2003 will bring together experts from Europe and other parts of the world for discussion of progress in the field of biotechnology and, in particular, human genetics, population and community genetics and pharmacogenomics. The event incorporates Exhibition aimed at biotechnology-related companies, Connect Biobusiness Workshop and ScanBalt Bioregion Steering Committee meeting.

The Forum topics include

genomics and genetics of complex diseases population genetics and biobanks pharmacogenomics and business human genetics bioethics and genetics

Keynote speaker:
Prof. Rolf M. Zinkernagel (Nobel Prize in Medicine, 1996)
Institute of Experimental Immunology, Zurich, Switzerland.

As the organizers, we hope that the 4th Gene Forum 2003 will create a favourable environment to exchange ideas and experiences. The Forum will facilitate personal contacts between scientists, doctors and business and should encourage further development of bilateral and multilateral co-operation (networking) with participants. The personal and institutional links created as a result of this forum may lay a basis for further international cooperation within the European Research Area.

The Forum will take place in Tartu, the second biggest city of Estonia, rich in academic and historical traditions. Sessions will be held in the Vanemuine Conference Centre. We hope that your stay in Tartu will be both enjoyable and scientifically stimulating.

Important Dates

Preliminary Programme Available  April, 2003 Abstract Submission August 1st, 2003 Early Registration Before June 25th, 2003 Regular Registration Before September 11th, 2003 On-site Registration September 12th-13th, 2003