Welcome letterfrom Jackie D. Wood, MSc, Ph.D., AGAF

I have been advised by colleagues in Croatia that the 12th International Conference on Ulcer Research will be held Sept. 10-16, 2009 at the Hotel Lav Le Meridien, in Split, Croatia. You might recall that the 11th ICUR Conference was held in the spectacular old city of Dubrovnik, Croatia at about the same time in 2003. You might remember also that, in view of the efficacy of the H2 antagonists and the PPIs, the organizers felt it appropriate to move forward a bit from acid-related disorders and add a focus on functional gastrointestinal disorders.  This was done by implementing a neurogastroenterology-related symposium on Brain-Gut Interactions. I chaired the symposium, which had presentations by: 1) Emeran Mayer – The Functional GI Disorders;  2) Jan Tack – Non-Ulcer Dyspepsia; 3) Qasim Aziz - Representation of Gastrointestinal Sensation In The Brain – Visceral Pain; 4)  Jackie Wood - Neuropathophysiology of IBS.  A large-enthusiastic audience turned-out for what was, in my view, a highly successful meeting.  Based on the experience of 2003, I think we can expect an even better all-around experience in Croatia in 2009.       

I would encourage you to place this meeting on your calender because, first of all, it will have an exceptional scientific/clinical program. Secondly, it will be in a magnificent hotel in a wonderful part of the world on the Dalmatian Coast of the Adriatic.

Sincerely

Jackie D. Wood, MSc, Ph.D., AGAF
Professor of Physiology and  Cell Biology and Internal Medicine