PancreasFest 2016:Risk Factors which Alter the Injury Response and New Targets for Therapy

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SUMMARY Advancing our understanding of human pancreatic diseases, especially acute pancreatitis, requires the cooperative effort of a network of clinical centers of excellence and the regular meeting of thought leaders in the field. The course objectives for PancreasFest 2016: Risk Factors which Alter the Injury Response and New Targets for Therapy, will enhance progress on meeting research priorities highlighted by the National Commission of Digestive Diseases. Specifically, we will 1) Critically review genetic and environmental risk factors associated with development of pancreatic diseases; 2) Critically review pancreatic pain and pain centralization; 3) Discuss strategies for translation of new scientific discoveries into clinical trials and practice, including needs analysis. The University of Pittsburgh has organized and hosted PancreasFest and its precursors since 1994. No other conference in the US focuses exclusively on fostering translational multi-center programs for pancreatic disorders. Attendees of past meetings uniformly praise PancreasFest for fostering collaborative research and emphasize the importance of having a small conference focused on pancreatic disorders. Multiple clinical working groups have emerged over the years through PancreasFest that focus on areas of NIDDK interest. Typically more than 200 diverse medical professionals register for PancreasFest each year, including physicians and scientists with interested in the pancreas: pancreatologists, endoscopists, surgeons, radiologists, molecular biologists, geneticists, epidemiologists, statisticians, systems biologists, and experts in biomarkers. We emphasize attendance by new faculty and fellows to ensure that the next generation of pancreatic investigators works directly with and learn from senior researchers in the field. Key staff from the NIDDK are invited to provide perspective and discuss priorities. PancreasFest is also attended by representatives from industry and patient-focused foundations, such as the National Pancreas Foundation. PancreasFest 2016 will be held on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA at the University Club on July 27-29, 2016. The NIDDK-sponsored sessions will be part of this larger event, which includes a CME course, the 9th International Symposium on Inherited Diseases of the Pancreas, and the annual meeting of the Collaborative Alliance for Pancreatic Education and Research (CAPER), which is devoted to enhancing the career development of junior physician scientists in the field of pancreatology.