On behalf of the Organizing Committee, I have the pleasure of inviting you to Rome for the XII International Symposium on Amyloidosis “From Molecular Mechanisms Toward the Cure of Systemic Amyloidoses”, which will take place on April 18-21, 2010.

Finally, after decades of hard work aimed at understanding the molecular events involved in the pathogenesis of these complex diseases, new drugs are entering clinical trials and new therapeutic strategies are being designed: the cure of amyloidosis now seems within our reach.

The Symposium will be a showcase for the discussion of new developments in the area of protein misfolding diseases, and the program will be largely based on the discussion of submitted abstracts reporting progress in basic mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment of systemic amyloidoses.
The Organizing Committee is working hard to put together a meeting of outstanding scientific quality. Furthermore, consensus conferences will define updated criteria in order to improve the care of patients, and special sessions will offer patients and their families an opportunity to share the hopes provided by the latest advancements.

The venue for the Symposium offers state of the art facilities and has been chosen to provide an ideal context in which participants can meet. We aim to promote a continuous and fruitful exchange of ideas, create new opportunities for collaboration between us, and consolidate those scientific and personal contacts which are so important. Finally, the Symposium will be complemented by the wonderfully rich cultural milieu offered by our host city, the city of Rome.

Your contribution is important for the success of this Symposium, and I hope very much to see you in Rome,

Giampaolo Merlini
President of the Symposium