Dear Colleagues, on behalf of the Fondazione Internazionale Menarini, I would like to invite you to participate in the International Symposium on Genetics of Osteoarticular Disorders to be held in Florence, Italy, on February 22-23, 2002. Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis are the two most common age-related chronic disorders of articular joints and skeleton, representing a major public health problem in most developed countries. Apart from being influenced by environmental factors, both disorders have a strong genetic component, and there is now considerable evidence from large population studies that these two disorders are inversely related. Thus, an accurate analysis of the genetic component of one of these two multifactorial diseases may provide data of interest for the other disorder. Genetics of osteoarticular disorders Page 2 of 32 http://www.fondazione-menarini.it/eng/congressi/archive/program19.htm 30/04/2012 The focus of the Symposium is on recent work in genetic research of osteoarticular disorders. The discovery of risk and protective genes for Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis promises to revolutionize diagnostic and therapeutical strategies of these diseases. The quick expansion and advances in animal and human genomics of quantitative disorders not only will lead to a better understanding of skeletal biology, but will certainly open new avenues in pharmacological opportunities and pharmacogenomics of specific drugs. The programme comprises several invited lectures to summarize our knowledge in the field. Lecture blocks were patterned to build a foundation of knowledge in the two selected topics. The primary goal of this Symposium is to bring together scientists and clinicians working in Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis in order to identify the most promising and collaborative approaches for the coming decade. The site of Symposium has unique facilities to host this type of Conference. The city of Florence itself offers the opportunity of cultural and sight-seeing activities. I look forward to seeing you in Florence for this exciting event that should attract scientists and physicians with an interest in Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis.
Maria Luisa Brandi, MD, PhD President of the Meeting