Efficacy and Safety of Medical Plants and Dietary Supplements

30th September 2015 - 07th October 2015
>For information on the program please follow this link.

The aim of the symposium is to solidify knowledge, to present novel findings, and to discuss these with other participants. We lack knowledge about the molecular mode of action of many plant derived extracts or single compounds thereof, which are marketed as medicinal plant products or as dietary supplements. This information is crucial for assessing the efficacy and safety of these products as well as for excluding potential risks in human use. Particular emphasis during our symposium will therefore be given to integrate cellular and molecular findings into the debate about benefits and risks associated with individual products.

Only a small percentage of (roughly 1800) genes of the human genome represent drug targets. The term “drug target” is used for describing genes which can be modulated in their function by the interaction with small molecules and which at the same time are linked to a disease. 
Within these genes are all 48 nuclear receptors of the human genome, which include, amongst others, the receptors for male and female sex hormones, as well as lipid sensors. 

The interaction of medicinal plant extracts or single compounds derived thereof with these receptors and the functional consequences are relevant to the treatment and particularly to the prevention of age dependent conditions or diseases (e.g., menopausal complaints, Diabetes mellitus, adipositas and hormone dependent tumors).

For this reason and since often they represent the only affordable treatment option, medicinal plants are used for treating and preventing these conditions in many developing countries.

The products we will be discussing in the workshops originate from European, Asian and African regions. All of these preparations share the feature that there are knowledge gaps regarding their efficacy, safety and/or molecular mode of action. 

Experimental data regarding phytochemistry and biological function of these plant products are absolutely crucial for closing the knowledge gaps. Moreover, these chemical and biological data are crucial for assessing consumer safety particularly for participants in developing countries.

Part 1: 30th September: Arrival
1st October – 3rd October: Scientific Three-Day Retreat in Gohrisch (Sächsische Schweiz)

Part 2: 4th October – 6th October: Alumni Networking at the TU Dresden and  Participation at the Summer School "Plant derived polyphenols as
drug leads"
The networking programme provides opportunities for exchange with representatives of the TU Dresden, of Dresden research institutions and with a great number of international scientists.

For more details please see the program.

30 pre-selected alumni will get a financial support by the DAAD to cover their costs for travel, accommodation and board.

Accommodation:

All participants who join the Scientific Three-Day Retreat in Gohrisch pay 90 EUR (all inclusive) per day. This amount is the equivalent of the refund amount per day. Please book your accommodation in a double bed room by sending a mail to polyphenols2015@mailbox.tu-dresden.de

For your stay in Dresden (4th – 7th October) we made reservations at various hotels and guest houses that now hold a limited number of rooms for the International Alumni Week 2015. For more information click here: List of reserved accomodations

We are looking forward to welcome you in Dresden! 

Prof. Dr. Günter Vollmer, Chair for molecular cell physiology and endocrinology,
Department of Biology, School of Science, TU Dresden
and
the Project-Team of the Alumni Symposium 2015:

Katharina Gabel-Stransky, Head of the LEONARDO OFFICE SAXONY (Project management)
E-Mail: k.gabel-stransky@leo.tu-dresden.de

Maria Richter-Babekoff, Head of the International Office of the School of Science
E-Mail: Internationales.MN@tu-dresden.de

Anna Lorenzana Bäumler, Project Manager "International Alumni Week 2015"
E-mail: alumni@leo.tu-dresden.de