The Ri.MED Foundation periodically organises lectures on cutting edge research topics in the field of life sciences and biotechnology, two scientific areas with the potential to dramatically improve important aspects of human health and entail strong economic benefits.
The first lecture was held on 30th October 2007 in ROME by Dr Arthur S. Levine, Senior Vice Chancellor for the Health Sciences and Dean of the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine. Dr. Levine is also president of the RIMED Foundation’s Scientific Committee. Prior to joining the University of Pittsburgh in 1998, Dr Levine was chief of laboratory at the National Cancer Institute and, from 1982 to 1998, scientific director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development within the National Institutes of Health. Dr Levine is an oncologist and a molecular biologist. His laboratory in Pittsburgh focuses on the molecular mechanisms by which cells recognize and repair damage to the DNA.
The title of the lecture was:“ Biomedical and Biotechnology Research Programs at the University of Pittsburgh: New concepts and methodologies in basic and clinical science.”
During his lecture, Dr Levine reviewed several new major research programs undertaken in Pittsburgh focusing in particular on structural and computational biology, developmental biology, cutting-edge imaging at the molecular, cell and organismal levels, drug discovery, vaccine development and neuroscience. With respect to clinical investigation, Dr Levine highlighted transplantation, tissue engineering and cancer studies. He also discussed the topics of interest that RIMED intends to support within its research program.
The lecture was followed by structured comments of prominent scientists:
Dr Ranieri Cancedda, Professor of Cell Biology and President of graduation course in Biotechnology at Genova University
Dr Nadia Rosenthal, Director of European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Monterotondo
Dr Jaume Bosch, Hospital Clinic y Provincial di Barcellona.