U of T prepares to welcome world’s best minds in medical sciences research

The University of Toronto community will hear from many of the world’s greatest minds in medical sciences research when they gather in Toronto in October for the 2013 Gairdner Symposia.

Beginning on October 23, leading researchers will discuss critical topics in health research, including HIV and sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis C and protein structures, and functions in health and disease.

“The Gairdner talks feature some of the most distinguished researchers in the field of medical research today,” said Catharine Whiteside, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. “It is a rare opportunity and a distinct privilege to welcome these global thought leaders to the University of Toronto, where our students and researchers can hear them describe their work and respond to questions.

”The recipients of the 2013 Canada Gairdner Awards – Canada’s most prestigious award in the health sciences – will also deliver lectures on their groundbreaking research.

This year, the Canada Gairdner International Awards will recognize three areas of research: Harvey J. Alter of the U.S. National Institutes of Health and Daniel W. Bradley of the Centers for Disease Control will be recognized for their contributions to the discovery and isolation of the hepatitis C virus. Stephen Joseph Elledge of Harvard Medical School will be honoured for his work in DNA repair, and Sir Gregory Winter of the University of Cambridge will be acknowledged for creating synthetic human antibodies.

The lectures are open to the public. More information can be found on the Gairdner Foundation website, www.gairdner.org. Click here to register.