First DZNE / MPI Conference on Ageing and Neurodegeneration

The first conference on Aging and Neurodegeneration, organized by the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) and the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing (MPI Age), will take place at Schloss Bensberg, Bergisch Gladbach (Germany) from September 1^st to September 4^th. The conference brings together cutting edge scientific expertise to address the grand challenges in the field and create a forum for a high-level scientific exchange.

The growing proportion of ageing individuals in our society is affected by late onset diseases including neurodegenerative disorders. The reasons why age is the main risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer‘s or Parkinson‘s disease are still unknown. Are there common mechanisms in the cellular dysfunction that is associated with normal ageing and neurodegenerative disease? Are there common mechanisms between early and late onset forms of dementia and motor dysfunction and how do they relate to the processes that underlie ageing? A better understanding of the molecular basis of both ageing and neurodegenerative diseases will likely lead us to new therapeutic and preventive strategies.

One highlight of the conference is the awarding of the 1st Hartwig Piepenbrock-DZNE prize. The prize, endowed with 60,000 Euros, is donated by the Piepenbrock Group and awarded jointly with the DZNE. It recognizes outstanding scientific contributions towards the understanding, prevention and cure of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

Participation at the conference is free of charge for journalists. An accreditation is requested: http://www.conference-ageing-neurodegeneration.de/registration/registration-for-journalists.html

Contact information:

Dr. Katrin Weigmann
Press- and Public Relations
German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)

Phone: + 49 (0)228 43302 263
Mobile: + 49 (0)1735471350

Email: katrin.weigmann@dzne.de

Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing

May 5th 2010 marked the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, the newest member of the Max Planck Society. This event was held as an important milestone for the new institute and for the future of ageing research in Germany, and in Europe.

Among the attendees were the Science and Technology Minister of North Rhine Westphalia, Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart; the President of the Max Planck Society, Prof. Dr. Peter Gruss; the Medical Director of the University Clinic Cologne, Prof. Dr. Edgar Schoemig; the Rector of the University of Cologne, Prof. Dr. Axel Freimuth; the Mayor of the City of Cologne, Hans-Werner Bartsch; the Parliamentary Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Thomas Rachel. Having played a crucial role in initiating, shaping and financing the new institute, they held this event as a “giant step towards realizing a big dream”.  The MPI President and the government Ministers all stood in unity expressing their enthusiasm and strong support for the MPI BALT as a scientific institute with an international focus promoting innovation and excellence in ageing research.

Mr. Hammes, the chief architect, who is responsible for designing the new building, and the three founding directors Dr. Adam Antebi, Dr. Nils-Goeran Larsson, and Dr. Linda Partridge were also present. 

As the current managing director of the MPI BALT, Dr. Antebi laid out his vision of the institute and presented exciting examples of research already being carried out in the field on the interplay of diet, exercise and hormonal regulation of life span.  The highlight of the speech though was marked by his own personal history of his grandfather, who lived until the remarkable age of 101 despite the hardship he endured throughout his life. “I don’t know if it was the chicken soup, his spatziering or his low insulin-like growth factor stature that made him live long. But I hope it is the latter,” he said with amusement.

The event ended on a note of shared vision of the MPI AGE and a pledge to make the institute an international success.

Pictures: www.eventfotograf.com