Report on the 2016 edition of the Symposium of the Institut Pasteur International Network

The third edition of the Scientific Symposium of the Institut Pasteur International Network, entitled "From basic science to biomarkers and tools in global health", was held on the Paris campus from November 29 to December 2. The annual event, attended this year by nearly 350 participants including many scientists, clinicians and public health experts specializing in communicable and non-communicable diseases, explored all the aspects of the fundamental, clinical and operational research needed to identify and develop new biomarkers with potential health applications.

Ever since its first edition, the Scientific Symposium has always aimed to strengthen and boost international scientific cooperation within the International Network, particularly in the areas of infectious diseases and public health. Prestigious speakers and young scientists from across the world came to discuss the latest scientific advances that will have a major impact on public health in the coming years. This event is an ideal showcase for the diversity and wealth of expertise within the Institut Pasteur International Network.

As always, there were several highlights that deserve a particular mention.

At this year's event, Christian Bréchot and Françoise Barré-Sinoussi presented the 2015 Dedonder Clayton Award to Avelin Fobang Aghokeng (PhD, Research Fellow at the IRD - Yaoundé in Cameroon) for his project entitled "Approche Test and Treat pour la prise en charge de l’infection à VIH : défis du diagnostic et la résistance primaire au Cameroun" ("A 'test and treat' approach to HIV infection: challenges in diagnostics and primary resistance in Cameroon").

Mirdad Kazanji and Pierre Legrain also presented two scientists with the PTR-ACIP Award: Javier Pizarro-Cerda from the Institut Pasteur in Paris for the best PTR poster (PTR 521-2015: "Identification of microRNAs regulating infection of human cells by Listeria monocytogenes", in partnership with the Institut Pasteur in Montevideo) and Marcelo Comini from the Institut Pasteur in Montevideo for the best ACIP poster (ACIP 17-2015: "Target-based drug discovery of compounds interfering with trypanothione biosynthesis in trypanosomatids", in partnership with the Institut Pasteur in Korea and Fiocruz (Brazil)).

Several events related to the Symposium also took place over the four days, such as the "PTR/ACIP Day" held on November 29 with the aim of bringing together scientists from the Paris campus and the International Network interested in submitting projects under the upcoming PTR/ACIP calls for proposals and offering advice on how to approach these calls. The second edition of the Breakthrough Ideas Session, also held alongside the Symposium, provided an opportunity to develop cooperation with the International Network by discussing thoughts and ideas.

 

You can consult the program, the abstracts of the papers presented and photos of the event here