ASM Biodefense and Emerging Diseases Research Meeting : Feb. 21-24, 2010, Baltimore, Md

The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) will host its 2010 Biodefense and Emerging Diseases Research Meeting February 21-24, 2010 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel in Baltimore, MD.

The purpose of this meeting is to bring together individuals who are carrying out research to defend against the threat of bioterrorism with decision makers shaping the future biodefense research agenda, recognizing that emerging infectious diseases serve as a paradigm for handling the public threat of bioterrorism.

This meeting is intended for scientists, public health researchers and policy makers who need to be informed about the latest scientific developments. The meeting will include a series of keynote addresses by leaders in the field of biodefense and poster sessions presenting up-to-the-minute cutting-edge research on biothreat agents, vaccines, detection and diagnostic procedures, animal and plant pathogens, global surveillance, and other vital topics.

The first day of the conference will feature a special lecture by Andrew C. Weber, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Defense Programs entitled "The Obama Administration's Strategy for Preventing Bio Threats."

The special lecture will be followed by a keynote session featuring Eva Harris of the University of California School of Public Health, Berkeley, California who will be speaking on dengue virus pathogenesis, immune response, and candidate antiviral therapies.

Preliminary program and hotel information are available online at www.asmbiodefense.org. Media registration is complimentary. Journalists wishing to register can do so by contacting Jim Sliwa, ASM Office of Communications, at jsliwa@asmusa.org or by phone at (202) 942-9297.

Provided by American Society for Microbiology