Evolutionary changes in the human microbiome and immune system
Ancient DNA has provided a powerful new window into how evolutionary changes in our recnt past have established the current western microbiome and the composition and diversity of human genetics seen around the world. This new view is surprising in a number of ways, and suggests that many western diseases may have their roots in lifestyle changes over the past few thousand years, rather than from since the Industrial revolution. This has important implications for how we think about, and treat, modern disease.
By invitation of the Epiderm Lecture’s namesake, Professor Alan Cooper, Sydney Dermatologist, the 2018 Alan Cooper Epiderm Lecture will feature a keynote presentation by:
Professor Alan Cooper
ARC Laureate Fellow, Director, Australian Centre for Ancient DNA, Sir Hubert Wilkins Chair of Climate Change, University of Adelaide.
Date: Friday 27 July, 2018
Time: 6.00pm for 6.45pm start
Venue: Translational Research Institute (TRI) Auditorium, Brisbane
The lecture will also be attended by Professor Geoff McColl, the new Executive Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, who will deliver an opening address.
Please contact Melissa Kerr for more information about this event.
About Alan Cooper Epiderm Lecture
The Alan Cooper Epiderm Lecture has been established in recognition of Epiderm’s generous support of The University of Queensland’s dermatology and skin cancer research programs. Epiderm, formerly the Australian Dermatology Research and Education Foundation, was established in 1992 following Australia’s successful bid to host the International League of Dermatological Societies World Congress of Dermatology meeting in Sydney in 1997. The World Congress was led by Professor Alan Cooper and Professor Robin Marks and generated a significant financial surplus representing the majority of the Foundation’s initial funding.
Professor Alan Cooper, a driving force behind academic Dermatology in Australia, played a lead role on the board of Epiderm. Over a 22 year period, Epiderm funded many dermatological projects within Australia. From 2007-2014, Epiderm donated over $2.8 million in support of the dermatology and skin cancer research within the Dermatology Research Centre under the direction of Professor H. Peter Soyer. Epiderm’s capstone donation of $2.05 million in 2014, prior to the Foundations disestablishment, leveraged over $3.5 million in additional support for UQ’s dermatology and skin cancer research programs.