Sir Peter Spencer, CEO, Action for M.E. and other M.E. charity representatives will attend a multi-disciplinary workshop for researchers, organised by the Medical Research Council (MRC), 19-20 November.
The meeting, chaired by Professor Stephen Holgate, MRC Professor of Immunopharmacology from Southampton University, aims to encourage new research into M.E./CFS, harnessing the latest technologies and scientific thinking to develop a proper understanding of the underlying disease mechanisms.
Papers circulated include information about XMRV, the retrovirus identified in 68 out of 101 CFS patients by researchers at the Whittemore Peterson Institute in Reno, USA. Although the sample is small, the results have led to calls for greater investigation into the biology of M.E.
Sir Peter has asked Professor Holgate to ensure during the course of the two-day event that particular consideration be given to these findings and current efforts to replicate them by other researchers.
Anyone who wishes to contact Sir Peter about the workshop may do so by e-mailing consultations@afme.org.uk
Scientists participating in the MRC workshop are already due to hear short presentations on phenotyping and epidemiology, autonomic dysfunction, fatigue, sleep, pain, neuroimaging, new technologies, immune dysregulation, infection and virology.
There will be an opportunity for group discussion before delegates split up into workshops. These will consider:
- capitalising on current issues and UK scientific strengths
- new technologies and technological platforms
- national resources eg. patient cohorts
- partnership models
- research prioritisation
- other issues.
Professor Holgate will then summarise the workshop’s discussions, which will indicate a way forward for future work.
