Fibrosis is the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix that results in tissue scarring and organ dysfunction; it is a key component in the pathogenesis of many diseases. It is estimated that 45% of deaths in the developed world are due to fibrosis-induced organ failure. Unfortunately, there are few diagnostic tests that can detect and quantify fibrosis in patients. Once diagnosed, there are essentially no effective therapeutic options to attenuate or reverse fibrosis. Considering the paucity of diagnostic methods and effective treatments available for organ fibrosis, it?s devastating impact on mortality, and the rapidly growing interest in this field, there is urgent need to develop an annual meeting(s) on this important topic. Although targeted sessions regarding organ fibrosis occur at larger conferences, those sessions generally comprise less than 10% of the total presentations. To our knowledge, no national symposium has focused on diagnostic and therapeutic investigation of fibrosis across organ systems, underscoring the need for a synergistic, multidisciplinary conference on translational research in organ fibrosis. This proposal seeks support for a ?first-of-its-kind? conference, entitled ?New Frontiers in Fibrosis Research,? to explore similarities and differences of fibrosis across organs to accelerate our understanding of fibrotic processes and synergize efforts for diagnostic and therapeutic discovery/validation. This will be the first national meeting where clinical and basic research experts in the discovery, molecular mechanisms, model systems, imaging and clinical trials/treatments of fibrotic diseases across organ systems will be integrated in a single venue. The overarching goal will be to identify impactful, innovative, transformational advances and foster exciting new collaborations to advance diagnosis and treatment of fibrotic diseases. Clinicians, scientists and industry experts studying fibrosis across organ systems will come together to identify similarities and differences that will accelerate our understanding of fibrotic disease mechanisms and may lead to new diagnostics (e.g. non-invasive imaging), and therapeutics for heart, lung, liver and kidney fibrosis. A key goal is to mentor and develop early career investigators, who will be the next generation of leaders in this growing field. The conference will promote mentoring of junior investigators and will provide an ideal opportunity to foster collaborations across organs and boundaries that will enhance translational research. Groundbreaking advances in science depend on the open exchange of fresh ideas and new findings. This conference will catalyze such exchange and foster impactful, innovative, transformational advances to diagnose and treat fibrotic diseases. The invited program includes globally renowned experts in fibrosis research across basic, clinical and translational boundaries, including women (39%), minority (8%) and early career invitees (24%). In summary, ?New frontiers in fibrosis research? aims to become the preferred conference destination for organ fibrosis research in both academia and industry to establish new knowledge and new collaborations in pursuit of translating novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets to improve human health.

Public Health Relevance

This proposal seeks support for ?New frontiers in organ fibrosis,? a national conference hosted by the Center for Translational Fibrosis Research at Cincinnati Children?s Hospital Medical Center on November 14-15, 2019. It is estimated that 45% of deaths in the developed world are due to fibrosis-induced organ failure, yet there has been no national meeting focused entirely on fibrosis. This innovative meeting aims to improve our understanding of organ fibrosis and accelerate discovery toward diagnosing and treating the disease, with the goal of enhancing human health.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Conference (R13)
Project #
1R13HL149443-01
Application #
9835683
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHL1)
Program Officer
Vuga, Louis J
Project Start
2019-09-01
Project End
2020-08-31
Budget Start
2019-09-01
Budget End
2020-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
071284913
City
Cincinnati
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
45229