Proteolytic enzymes as therapeutic targets - Keystone Symposium. 3-8 February 2002, Keystone, CO, USA.
The Keystone Symposium 'Proteolytic Enzymes as Therapeutic Targets' was attended by approximately 150 scientists. Around two-thirds of the participants consisted of representatives from pharmaceutical companies, but representatives from academic institutes dominated the list of speakers. The meeting attracted scientists from many different fields, including biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology, pharmacology, chemistry, and bioinformatics. The science ranged from the discovery and characterization of novel proteinases to the development and clinical trials of proteinase inhibitors and was presented as posters or in oral sessions. The discussions following the oral presentations were always very animated, but hardly ever heated. Although there were a few new drugs being presented, the real highlight was the enormous potential of recently discovered proteinases as new therapeutic targets. Both pharmaceutical companies and academic institutes are investing in programs to integrate the avalanche of new information coming from functional genomics, proteomics and structural information to create a platform for applied proteinase technology.
Creemers
John
J
Department for Human Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Gasthuisberg O/N 6, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. john.creemers@med.kuleuven.ac.be