The 2011 edition of the International Conference on Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) will be held 10 – 13 October 2011 in Singapore at Biopolis, hosted by A*STAR - Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB).

This conference is the 5th biennial meeting for scientists investigating the common and disparate elements of cell phenotypic transitions in development, metastasis, fibrosis and wound healing that result in invasive and/or migratory cells. It is held under the auspices of The Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition International Association (TEMTIA), an international scientific society organized in Australia at the time of the 1st TEMTIA meeting in 2003.

The intent of the meeting is to advance studies of the cellular process of transition by epithelial cells into an invasive cell type (EMT) or its reverse, the formation of an epithelium from fibroblastic or mesenchymal cells (MET). EMT is a cellular process that has engendered much attention as a cellular mechanism that contributes to normal development and may be a cause of congenital birth defects. The formation of three-dimensional structure in the embryo is facilitated by EMT processes including gastrulation, neural crest formation, somite differentiation and heart development, among others. In the adult, EMT is involved in wound healing and in the pathologies of metastasis and fibrosis, which have recently increased the attention to the process. It is clear that an understanding of the process will lead to specific therapeutic treatments for both common and rare diseases. In particular, parallels have been drawn between EMT and cancer stem cells.

The field has developed from the pioneering work of Dr. Elizabeth Hay and her students beginning in the late 1970s when she began to discuss the differences between epithelial cells and mesenchymal cells in the embryo. The TEMTIA meeting recognizes her contributions to the field by identifying the Keynote lecture as the Betty Hay Lecture.

Scientists from different disciplines who hold different pieces of the puzzle should attend the 5th International EMT Meeting (TEMTIA-V) to enable new insights and approaches in each of the respective research fields to be dynamically interacted and fuelling progress in order to advance health research. Topics presented at TEMTIA-V include: Cancer and EMT, Developmental EMT, Organ Fibrosis, Cell/Molecular Biology of EMT, Mathematical Modelling of EMT and Invasion, Drug discovery and EMT and lastly, Stem cells and EMT. Participants include developmental biologists, cell biologists, oncologists, physicists and clinicians.

This meeting will attract participants from throughout the US, Europe, Australia and Asia. In order to keep the focus on new and important information in the field as well as the emphasis on participation of students and junior faculty members, more than 40% of the speakers will be selected from submitted abstracts. Student travel bursaries and TEMTIA award will be available for application.

More information on registration and abstract submission, please visit www.emtmeeting.org

If you have other enquiries, please contact temtia2011singapore@imcb.a-star.edu.sg