ISIR2013

It is our pleasure to invite you to attend the 12^th Congress of the International Society for Immunology Reproduction (ISIR) hosted by the American Society for Reproductive Immunology (ASRI) to be held in historic Boston, Massachusetts USA next Spring.  This will be an outstanding opportunity to facilitate communication and collaborative work not only of reproductive immunologists from the Americas, but also with leaders in the field from around the globe.

Planning for the 2013 conference is well advanced with a strong scientific program organized by Surendra Sharma and the Program Committee.  The purpose of this conference is to further our understanding of reproductive immunology, sexually transmitted infections and cutting edge technology, specifically focused on clinical and translation research.

The scientific sessions will cover 10 major topics of the Society:
   •Immunology, Implantation and Assisted Reproductive Technology
   •Mucosal Immunology and Sexually Transmitted Infections
   •New Concepts in HIV Susceptibility and Acquisition
   •Autoimmunity, Endocrine Disorders and Reproduction
   •Novel Concepts in Immunological Tolerance at the Maternal Fetal Interface
   •Immune Related Pregnancy Complications
   •Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Reproductive Development
     and Pathogenesis
   •Immunology of Preeclampsia
   •Male Infertility
   •Biomarker Discoveries in Reproduction

The Opening Keynote Speaker is Dr. Francoise Barre-Sinoussi, Laureate of the Nobel Prize in Medicine 2008, recognized for her contributions to HIV/AIDS research, in particular as the first author of the publication that reported in 1983 the discovery of a retrovirus, later named HIV.  Today the research programs of her team are focused on regulation of HIV/SIV infection, in particular regulation of T cell activation resulting from the NK/dendritic cell interplay.

Special efforts have been taken to encourage Young Investigator participation.  ISIR-ASRI will provide opportunities for Young Investigators to present at scientific sessions, moderate sessions, display posters, engage in social mixers, attend the mentor luncheon and participate in the pre-meeting Postdoctoral Course and/or HIV Workshop.

All activities are being held at the historic Boston Park Plaza Hotel.  When this grand Boston Hotel opened in 1927, it claimed one of the city’s most coveted locations to this day – just 3 miles from Logan International Airport, within 200 yards of America’s oldest public park, The Boston Common, and close to Boston Shopping, Newbury Street, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, the Theater & Financial Districts, and many inspirational Boston Landmarks, Monuments and Universities.

As Co-Organizers, we know this will be an exciting conference and wish to thank all involved for their time and efforts to make this a successful conference for ISIR and ASRI.   We look forward to seeing you in historic Boston!                                        

Charles R. Wira President-Elect Chair, HIV Workshop	Gil Mor Chair, Postdoctoral Course	Surendra Sharma Chair, Scientific Program Committee
	Fundraising Committee Chair:  Vikki Abrahams Chuck Wira Gil Mor Surendra Sharma Joanne Kwak-Kim Raina Fichorova Charu Kaushic Evangelos Ntrivalas Thaddeus Golos David M. Aronoff Nazeeh Hanna Rudi Ansbacher Chris Davies Richard Bronson Peggy Petroff	Scientific Program Committee Co-Chair, Surendra Sharma        Co-Chair: Chuck Wira Udo Markert Gerard Chaouat Charu Kaushic Troy Ott Joanne Kwak-Kim Ian Sargent Satish Gupta Shigeru Saito Julia Szekeres-Bartho Gil Mor