Newsroom

Media advisory: International muscular dystrophy experts to gather in Ottawa


May 3, 2007

What: The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), the University of Ottawa, and the CHEO Research Institute are partnering with several sponsors to organize an international symposium to mark the 20th anniversary of the discovery of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene. Discussion topics will range from the basic biology of DMD and related neuromuscular diseases to the latest advances in gene and stem cell therapy.

When: Thursday, May 3 to Saturday, May 5, 2007

Where: The Westin, Ottawa, Canada

Who: Keynote addresses will be given by Drs. Ronald Worton and Lou Kunkel, the scientists whose independent efforts led to the discovery of the DMD gene. Dr. Worton recently retired after a long career at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children while Dr. Kunkel is an active scientist at Boston Children’s Hospital. More than 30 other internationally renowned scientists will be speaking and moderating discussions.

More information: See www.ohri.ca/dmdsymposium. In addition, a media backgrounder can be obtained from media relations staff listed below:
• Jennifer Paterson, OHRI, 613-798-5555 x 19691, jpaterson@ohri.ca
• Julie Leblanc, CHEO Research Institute, 613-737-7600, x 3586, JLeblanc@cheo.on.ca
• Lyse Huot, University of Ottawa, 613-562-5800 x 3150, lhuot@uOttawa.ca