North America
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Cuba
The Day of Immunology was celebrated for third consecutive year by the CSI, this time with a gathering of 100 affiliates, in representation of its 9 Province Chapters and 12 Havana Sections. During the first part of the act, Dr. Agustín Lage, Director of the Center for Molecular Immunology, delivered a short provocative talk on the impact of Immunology in Cuban Biomedicine, and its possible evolution over the next 10 years. Dr. Lage pointed out three aspects that he thought were worthwhile taking into consideration. He first reminded the auditorium that around 70% of modern Biotechnology products were Immunology-related and then argued how strengthening research and in particular, research in immunology, was an absolute requisite for further advances in the growing of the already prestigious Cuban Biotech industry. It was suggested that to accomplish such goal, cooperation between Cuban Biotech centers, scientific institutions and university should further increase. The second aspect Dr. Lage addressed was the changing demographics and disease patterns in Cuba, and the importance of Immunology in successfully coping with the new situations. With very low levels of maternal and infant mortality, life expectancy approaching 80 years, and an aging population, the main health problems in Cuba are cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer, and diabetes. In consequence, several new Public Health programs are now in fast deployment by the government. In many of these programs, integration with the national Biotech industry and clinical and experimental immunology research efforts by many other institutions has been given great importance. Dr. Lage stressed the fact that this particular scenario opened invaluable opportunities for the advancement of clinical and applied immunology in the Cuba. Finally, Dr. Lage referred on how the last two-three decades of discoveries have underscored the complexity of the immune system, and its interaction with other aspects of normal physiology and pathology. Dr. Lage argued that immunologists have to be prepared to tackle such complexity with analytical tools that were previously considered exclusive of other biomedical fields, as well as being able to better interact with other medical and scientific disciplines.
- A general discussion followed Dr. Lage's words, with references to
the importance of the study of the aging immune system, the growing
literature devoted to the interaction of stress and immunity, and the
relevant role the CSI should have in promoting new discussions about the
teaching and preparation of new Cuban immunologists in order to tackle
present and future challenges. In the context of this discussion it was
also suggested that the CSI could help and promote the publication of
immunology-related books by members of the society, as well as the
establishment of a system that would enable the free circulation of
immunology textbooks in electronic format among the different chapters
and sections.
- The meeting followed with the 2007 CSI awards ceremony, where the
Annual Price in the Immunology Teaching area was given to the Prof.
Sergio Arce Bustabad for his recent book “Clinical Immunology and
Stress”. Two additional mentions of the Annual Price were awarded to Dr.
Alberto J. Dorta for his book “Basic Neuroimmunology” and to Dr. Mario L.
Chovel for his work “Relationships among physico–chemical and biological
tests for a synthetic Hib-TT conjugated vaccine that was recently
published in the journal Vaccine.
- The celebration of the Day of Immunology in Cuba ended in Havana with public mention of 29 Cuban immunologists for their work in this discipline. Other CSI provincial Chapters also developed local scientific activities to celebrate de the Day of Immunology.
- Cuban Society of Immunology (CSI)
