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Genome medicine: gene therapy for the millennium, 30 September–3 October 2001, Rome, Italy

Gene Therapy volume 9, pages 653–657 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

The recent surge of DNA sequence information resulting from the efforts of agencies interested in deciphering the human genetic code has facilitated technological developments that have been critical in the identification of genes associated with numerous disease pathologies. In addition, these efforts have opened the door to the opportunity to develop novel genetic therapies to treat a broad range of inherited disorders. Through a joint effort by the University of Vermont, the University of Rome, Tor Vergata, University of Rome, La Sapienza, and the CSS Mendel Institute, Rome, an international meeting, ‘Genome Medicine: Gene Therapy for the Millennium’ was organized. This meeting provided a forum for the discussion of scientific and clinical advances stimulated by the explosion of sequence information generated by the Human Genome Project and the implications these advances have for gene therapy. The meeting had six sessions that focused on the functional evaluation of specific genes via biochemical analysis and through animal models, the development of novel therapeutic strategies involving gene targeting, artificial chromsomes, DNA delivery systems and non-embryonic stem cells, and on the ethical and social implications of these advances.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank our numerous sponsors from both the private and public sector. In particular we would like to acknowledge grants received from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the University of Vermont, the Lega Italiana delle Associazioni per la Lotta Contro la Fibrosi Cistica, the Università di Roma Tor Vergata, the IRCCS-Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, the Associazione Laziale Fibrosi Cisticà, the Associazione per lo Studio Atrofia Muscolare, the Ministero Italiano Università, e Ricerca Scientifica, the Regione Lazio and the Comune di Roma. Without their support and vision this meeting would not have occurred. We would also like to thank Betsy Nelson, Roberta Rutolo, Monica Lais, Franco DeCarolas and Gianfranco Decaratos for their invaluable administration before, during and after the meeting. Finally, we would like to thank Barbara Palys and the International Association for CF Adults, as well as all the chairs, and participants for their contributions to the success of this meeting.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Human Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA

    D C Gruenert

  2. Department of Biopathology and Diagnostic Imaging, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, Rome, Italy

    G Novelli

  3. Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’ and CSS Mendel Institute, Rome, Italy

    B Dallapiccola

  4. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University ‘GD’ Annunzio of Chieti, Chieti, Italy

    A Colosimo

Authors
  1. D C Gruenert
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  2. G Novelli
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  3. B Dallapiccola
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  4. A Colosimo
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Gruenert, D., Novelli, G., Dallapiccola, B. et al. Genome medicine: gene therapy for the millennium, 30 September–3 October 2001, Rome, Italy. Gene Ther 9, 653–657 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.gt.3301740

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