Invitation Message

Dear Colleagues,

We are proud to have the opportunity to invite you to participate in the XVIIth International Congress on Fibrinolysis and Proteolysis, held under the auspices of the International Society for Fibrinolysis and Proteolysis (ISFP), in Melbourne, Australia, March 21-25, 2004.

The ISFP will be meeting for the first time in its history in the city of Melbourne, Australia. Not only will this be the first time that the ISFP will convene in Australia, it will also represent the first occasion in the long history of the society to have its biannual meeting in the Southern Hemisphere.

The City of Melbourne offers much to the international visitor. Recently voted as the "World's most livable city", Melbourne is renowned for its multicultural festivities, first class amenities, and sporting culture.

The primary focus of the ISFP 2004 Congress will concern the role and significance of proteases and associated regulatory proteins and receptors in vascular disease, cardiac disease, neurobiology, inflammation and cancer. The relationship between these agents on disease progression, patient prognosis and therapy intervention will be presented and discussed. Related sessions will also consider more basic aspects of proteases and their relationship with membrane proteins, growth factors, signaling pathways and gene regulation.

The scientific program will therefore feature sessions devoted to clinical and basic aspects of proteolysis in vascular biology, fibrinolysis, cardiology, neurology and cancer. Particular focus will also be given to the role of proteases in neurobiology, including neurodegeneration. Sessions on the latest trends in thrombolytic therapy and results of recent clinical trials will also be presented and discussed.

This year, we have invited our colleagues from the Asia-Pacific Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (APCTH) to participate in the ISFP 2004 Congress and we are pleased to announce that a special session has been devoted for this purpose.

By participating in the ISFP 2004 Congress, you will have the opportunity to hear and discuss your research with leading researchers in the field. The Organising Committee of the ISFP 2004 Congress aims to create a stimulating environment with an Australian style social program, enabling you to foster new relationships and meet old friends and colleagues.

We look forward to meeting you in Melbourne in March 2004.

Dr Robert Medcalf
ISFP 2004 President (shown in photo)

Dr Wolf-Dieter Schleuning
Chairman, ISFP 2004 Scientific Organising Committee