International Microbicides Conference - Pre Conference Workshops

International workshop on the basic science of HIV preventions: translating basic science into novel microbicides. Supported by the Conference, ASHM, the Kirby Institute & ACH.

Back to Basics

THE MUCOSAL BIOLOGY OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION: TRANSLATING BASIC SCIENCE INTO NOVEL HIV INTERVENTIONS

Timing: Sunday 15 April 2012, 0830 to 1600
Venue: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney

Room: Parkside 110B

Please click here to view the program.

Please click here to view all the abstracts from the workshop.

The lack of protective efficacy of vaginally administered tenofovir gel found in the preliminary analysis of the VOICE study is a timely reminder that we still have a lot to learn about factors that modulate HIV infection at the mucosal surface. Complex interactions between virus, prevailing host physiology, microbiota and innate and adaptive immune responses combine to impact upon the outcome at the moment of potential transmission. Knowledge about the fundamental mechanisms impacting upon mucosal biology and viral infection must be harnessed to make an effective microbicide.

To this end a special satellite workshop will be held immediately preceding the International Microbicides Conference (Sydney 2012), so that attendees can take advantage of attending both meetings. Leading International and Australian researchers such as Tom Hope, Robin Shattock, Charles Wira, J. Victor Garcia, Deborah Anderson, Florian Hladik, Alan Landay, Tony Cunningham, Gilda Tachedjian, Stuart Turville, Damian Purcell, Charlene Dezzutti, Cecilia Cheng-Mayer and many others will examine the biology of HIV entry during transmission, innate and natural antiviral mechanisms at the mucosa, microbicide efficacy, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and animal models and opportunities for combination HIV prevention. Other infection models, such as HSV and HPV, will be examined for the insight they provide into the HIV transmission event.

This special satellite workshop for basic science researchers will be held on Sunday the 15 of April, 2012 at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre. We invite abstracts emailed to conferenceinfo@ashm.org.au in the M2012 format by 3 March 2012 for consideration for the limited number of available oral and poster presentation opportunities, especially from early career researchers. This workshop promises important opportunities for basic scientists to further explore the translation of fundamental insights into effective biomedical preventions.

Registration for this workshop is through this website and is free for students and registrants from developing countries. Registration for OECD first tier employed registrants is AUD$60. (Please note: you should only register if you have a strong interest in the basic biology of HIV transmission, or its implications for development of microbicides and oral prevention agents).

For more information and to register contact: ASHM Conference & Events Division
T +61 2 8204 0770 F +61 2 9212 4670

E conferenceinfo@ashm.org.au W www.microbicides2012.org

Organizers: A/Prof Damian Purcell, A/Prof Gilda Tachedjian, Dr Stuart Turville, Prof Anthony Cunningham, and Prof Alan Landay.

International workshop to prepare advocates for participation in M2012, share information and build advocacy skills around important issues in HIV prevention research and implementation. Organized by Conference, AMAG, AVAC, GCM, IRMA and NHVMAS and supported by the M2012 Conference Secretariat.

Advocacy in a New Prevention Landscape

BUILDING OUR KNOWLEDGE AND CAPACITY FOR EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY AROUND HIV PREVENTION RESEARCH AND IMPLENTATION

Timing: Sunday 15 April 2012, 0830 to 1600
Venue: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney

Room: Parkside 110A

2012 offers new opportunities and challenges to advocates across the world involved and/or interested in advocacy around microbicides and other HIV prevention research and rollout. We have new tools to consider in HIV prevention, with the exciting results from PrEP and treatment as prevention trials - and yet confusing results from the early termination of the FEM-PrEP trial and the microbicide gel and tenofovir tablet arms of the VOICE study. What does this mean for communities and how does it affect the work we do as advocates?

The African Microbicides Advocacy Group, AVAC, the Global Campaign for Microbicides, IRMA (International Rectal Microbicides Advocates), the New HIV Vaccine & Microbicide Advocacy Society and local Australian partners will hold a day-long pre-conference workshop on Sunday, April 15. The M2012 Advocates' Pre-Conference Workshop will begin at 08:30 and conclude by 16:00, ensuring participants have ample time to get to the M2012 opening ceremony. The workshop will be held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, and lunch will be provided.

The goal of the workshop is to equip new and experienced advocates, community representatives, trial staff and others with the tools needed to fully participants in the M2012 Conference by:

Providing a an overview of the field to contextualize the themes and issues presented at M2012;
Connecting research and advocacy priorities and exploring common goals;
Building capacity of advocates and trial staff to better engage with emerging issues in the field.

The pre-conference workshop will feature seasoned advocates and researchers from the HIV prevention research field who will provide participants with updates and previews to topics to be presented at the conference. an array of thematic discussion and skills-building sessions will be conducted including an update on key issues in the field, influencing relevant country policies and processes, prevention research literacy and ethics, and training on advocacy and campaign building.

Registration for this workshop is free for all interested participants but has limited space so registration will be offered on first-come first-serve basis. Registrations will be accepted through 30 March 2012 or until we have reached capacity.

Please fill this registration form at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/39SPS5P

If you have any questions or having problems with the registration form, please write to M2012AdvocatesPrecon@gmail.com.

Please note: Scholarship recipients' travel will be coordinated so they are able to attend the workshop if they register and inform the M2012 secretariat of their interest. For all others, we are unable to offer any scholarships to attend and hope you are able to arrange your travel to be able to participate in the workshop.

Organizers: AMAG, AVAC, GCM, IRMA and NHVMAS

New HIV Prevention Technologies

PrEP IN THE CONTEXT OF NEW HIV PREVENTION TECHNOLOGIES FOR GAY MEN: WHAT ARE THE RESEARCH AND PROGRAMMATIC IMPLICATIONS FOR AUSTRALIA?

Timing: Sunday 15 April 2012, 1330 to 1630
Venue: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney

Room: Parkside G04

Please click here to view the program

Organised as a partnership between Australian-based researchers and government and community agencies, this pre-conference workshop will examine PrEP in the context of Australia's response to the HIV epidemic among gay men and other men who have sex with men. The workshop will provide an overview of the state of research into HIV prevention strategies in general, and PrEP specifically. There will be a focus on guidelines, position statements, policy and implementation issues concerning PrEP.

National and international academic experts, as well as representatives of government and community organisations with a stake in HIV prevention, will share their experiences
and consider research and policy implications for PrEP in the Australian setting.

Registration is free. Please click here to RSVP.

Media

GETTING THE SCOPE ON HIV PREVENTION RESEARCH

Timing: Sunday 15 April 2012, 0830 to 1700

Venue: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney

Room: Parkside GO6

The pre-conference media workshop will provide international scholarship reporters and local Australian reporters an opportunity to meet with key international researchers and advocates to learn more about the current state of microbicide and HIV prevention research, the need-to-know issues ahead of the conference, and the hot topics at the conference.

The workshop is co-sponsored by the Microbicides Media and Communication Initiative (MMCI), AVAC, and the M2012 conference organizers.