Oral Immunology/Microbiology Research Group Meeting

口腔免疫学/微生物学研究小组（OIMRG）成立于1991年，旨在促进对口腔免疫学和微生物学，特别是与口腔疾病（龋齿和牙周病）相关的研究人员之间的互动和合作。人们普遍认为，像IADR/AADR大会这样的大型会议不能提供一个适合亲密对话和合作的论坛，OIMRG的成立是为了回应这一普遍看法。OIMRG由114名研究人员组成，代表美国和国外的48所大学、研究中心和商业组织。该小组每年召开一次年会，其中包括三次科学会议，每次会议侧重于口腔免疫学和微生物学的一个不同领域。主要但不完全是通过年度会议来实现调研组的目标。这些目标包括：促进对口腔免疫学和微生物学感兴趣的科学家之间的互动和合作。2. 促进从事口腔健康和疾病基础及临床研究的院士与私营机构同事之间的信息交流和合作。3. 提供一个论坛，使新的独立调查人员与联邦和非联邦机构的代表建立联系，这些机构可能是未来研究的潜在资金来源。OIMRG第16届年会将于2006年1月27日至30日在波多黎各圣胡安的加勒比希尔顿酒店举行。会议主题将包括：a)宿主对口腔细菌的反应；b)口腔细菌的微生物致病机制；c)宿主介导的口腔组织损伤机制。邀请了三位客座讲师，一位讨论与粘膜免疫广泛领域有关的主题，一位与细菌毒力因子有关，第三位与遗传学有关。口腔健康和疾病监测小组及其年度会议的延续大大加强了口腔健康和疾病监测小组在口腔健康和疾病方面的目标。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The Oral Immunology/Microbiology Research Group (OIMRG) was founded in 1991 as a means of promoting collegial interaction and collaboration among researchers interested in the immunology and microbiology of the oral cavity, particularly as related to oral diseases (dental caries and periodontal disease). Formed in response to a general perception that large meetings such as the IADR/AADR General Sessions do not provide a forum suitable for intimate discourse and collaboration, the OIMRG is comprised of 114 investigators representing forty-eight universities, research centers and commercial organizations in the U.S. and abroad. Once each year the group convenes for an annual meeting which consists of three scientific sessions, each focusing upon a distinct area of oral immunology and microbiology. It is primarily, but not exclusively, through the annual meeting that the objectives of the OIMRG are achieved. These objectives include the following: 1. to foster interaction and collaboration among scientists interested in oral immunology and microbiology. 2. To promote information exchange and collaboration between academicians and their colleagues in the private sector who are engaged in basic and clinical studies pertaining to oral health and disease. 3. To provide a forum through which new independent investigators establish contact with representatives of federal and non-federal agencies which may be potential sources of funding for future studies. The 16th annual meeting of the OIMRG has been scheduled for January 27-30th, 2006 at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Session topics will include a) host responses to oral bacteria, b) mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis employed by oral bacteria and c) mechanisms of host mediated injury to oral tissues. Three guest lecturers have been invited, one discussing a topic related to the broad area of mucosal immunity, one pertaining to bacterial virulence factors, and a third pertaining to genetics. Perpetuation of the OIMRG and its annual meetings greatly enhances the goals of the OIMRG as related to oral health and disease.