Dresden/Gohrisch, September 7th - 14th 2017

General aim of the advanced training

The aim of the advanced training activity is to consolidate previously acquired knowledge, to highlight important developments within the scientific field and to create a platform to discuss novel findings of the participating scientists. Amongst others, new data are available in the literature regarding molecular mechanisms of function of many products and compounds which have been discussed in previous Alumni meetings at TU Dresden. It is therefore an additional aim of this workshop to discuss these findings not only regarding their potential consequences regarding efficacy and safety in case of human applications, but also to identify new fields of applications both for known and novel products/extracts/compounds.

Content

The 48 nuclear receptors of humans, comprising receptors for female and male sexual hormones as well as lipid sensors, represent relevant target structures for natural compounds and selected synthetic drugs. The interactions of medicinal plant extracts, dietary supplements or single compounds derived thereof with these receptors and the resulting functional consequences are relevant for the treatment or prevention of age related symptoms and diseases (e.g. menopausal complaints, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity or cancers). For attenuation of symptoms or the prevention of disease, medicinal plants play an important role, particularly in developing countries, where they often represent the only affordable medication.

In the past years, some knowledge gaps regarding efficacy and/or safety of individual plant extracts/compound groups could be closed. A knowledge gain towards the molecular mechanism of function could be achieved for products or individual substances, which are available as medicinal plant extracts or dietary supplements. One aim of the symposium is therefore to introduce and to discuss novel findings in the field of efficacy and safety of natural compounds within the group of participants.

Medicinal plant extracts and dietary supplements comprise complex mixtures of compounds. Pharmacological, toxicological and endocrinological “tool boxes” suitable to assess and to characterize single, individual compounds are sometimes inefficient or not suitable at all for the assessment of complex mixtures. The second focus of this meeting will therefore discuss the question of suitable pharmacological, toxicological and endocrinological approaches to assess efficacy and safety of mixtures. If possible, in this area preference should be given to those extracts and products which may have the potential for application.

The availability and use of data generated from basic experimental research to the general public is limited. However there is a consensus amongst scientists that the awareness of research findings by the public, representing the tax payer, in various aspects is fundamentally important. A central question of this meeting will touch the question of how to improve dissemination of the created data. A good example for efficient dissemination comes from the area of consumer protection. In Europe in the meantime two opinions have been released by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on substance classes, which have extensively been discussed in previous Alumni Meetings at TU Dresden, namely Bisphenol A and soy isoflavones. While communication platforms to consumers to some degree may exist in Europe, to date there are no such tools in developing countries. There are no means to convey scientific knowledge back to healers or users of traditional medicinal products in third world countries. Therefore, it is of importance to discuss with participants from developing countries potential tools of dissemination of scientific knowledge. To address this issue, a round table discussion will be arranged.

Format of the meeting

The backbone of the scientific meeting will be the contributions of the participants. Participants are encouraged to actively participate in this workshop. They are asked to provide a seminar talk or a short communication on novel achievements in her/his area of research, as well as a written abstract.

Each scientific sub section will be introduced by a plenary lecture. A special key note lecture will highlight a particularly hot topic in the field. The issue of data dissemination beyond scientific publication with special emphasis on how to address the public will be addressed in a round table discussion. Overall, the meeting will comprise:

1 keynote lecture

6 plenary lectures

25 (approx.) seminar and short lectures

1 round table discussion

Schedule

Dresden: 8 – 9 September, Networking and Cultural Activities

Gohrisch: 10 – 13 September 2017, Scientific Retreat

Financial issues

• Travel costs:

We can reimburse your travel costs depending on your country of origin.

Please, have a look at the DAAD-list https://www.daad.de/medien/ausland/dokumente/reisekostenpauschalen-kongress-vortragsreisen.pdf and figure out the maximum amount we may reimburse.

In the case that reimbursement amount according to the DAAD-list is not being sufficient, please feel free to contact our International Office, Maria Richter-Babekoff, e-address .

Please, make your travel arrangements by yourself.

• Per diem:

You will receive a per diem amount to support your housing and living expenses:

95 EUR per day for all the six days of the meeting

Plus

95 EUR (for the day of your arrival and departure)

In case you arrive on September 7^th and leave on September 14 ^th, you will get the full amount of 665 EUR.

Please note that your participation can be funded only if you stay longer than four days.

Contact

© TU Dresden

International Affairs Advisor

Name

Maria Richter-Babekoff M.A.

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Monday:

14:00 - 18:00

Tuesday:

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Wednesday:

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