Media advisory - Gut reactions: immunity, microbes and diet

McGill University hosts 6th Annual Immunology Montreal Symposium December 2

Researchers are increasingly interested in the myriad, largely unknown populations of microbes that live in our guts and how they affect our immune systems. For instance, we now know that these trillions of organisms play a critical role in everything from fighting off invading pathogens to contributing to diseases like inflammatory bowel disease and obesity. We are also learning how our diet can affect these microbes and in turn, the health of the immune system.

On Dec. 2, McGill University and Immunology Montreal are inviting interested researchers, media representatives and members of the public to attend its 6th annual symposium where international experts will share the latest findings on this timely topic.

What: Annual Immunology Montreal symposium on "Gut immunity, microbes and diet"

When: Friday, December 2, 2011, 8: 30 a.m.

Where: New Residence Hall, McGill University, 3625 Avenue du Parc

Scheduled speakers include McGill University's Maya Saleh, who will be discussing innate mechanisms of colitis and colorectal cancer; the University of Oxford's Kevin Maloy, a specialist in host-pathogen interactions in the intestine and their impact on intestinal inflammation; the University of Pennsylvania's Gary Woo, a gastroenterologist who has recently been exploring the role of diet on gut flora; and Université de Montréal's Marika Sarfati who will speak about dendritic cells in gut immunity.

Immunology Montreal is a collaborative venture between McGill University, Université de Montréal and INRS Institut Armand-Frappier whose primary objective is to help educate students at all levels as well as the general population about immunology while forging ties between the educational institutions in the greater Montreal area.

This event is free and open to all.