New conference venue
The conference will be held at the
San Raffaele Congress Centre, Ospedale San Raffaele
Via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milan, Italy
The San Raffaele Hospital (OSR) was the first private hospital established in Italy, in 1971, and it is now part of the largest Scientific Park in Italy and one of the biggest in Europe. In 1972, it was granted by the Italian Ministry of Health the status of Research Hospital (IRCCS: Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico), with a main focus on diabetes and metabolic diseases. Since the beginning of the '90s Molecular Medicine has been the characterizing element of OSR institutional research, which is focused on the comprehension of molecular processes of disease and on the clinical applications of molecular biology results. Specific attention is given to translational research aimed at transferring the results obtained in the laboratory to the patients' bed.
In recognition of its investments and leadership in the research area of molecular medicine, in 2001 the Italian Ministry of Health granted San Raffaele the status of Research Hospital (IRCCS) in Molecular Medicine.
The mission of the OSR research can be summarized as follows:
- Perform cutting edge science;
- Advance knowledge on human diseases;
- Identify new therapies to the benefit of patients;
- Provide the best environment to foster the development of young scientists and doctors.
Translational medicine, the bench-to-bed-to-bench transfer of information and results, is the vision and the future for the Institute. OSR intends to consolidate its standing as a leading national and international Health Care Center where translational medicine provides each and every patient the best, most appropriate and most advanced treatment available.
All research activities are organized in 6 Research Divisions working in the areas of Neuroscience, Immunology and Infectious diseases, Oncology, Regenerative Medicine, Genetics and Cell Biology, and Metabolic and Cardiovascular Sciences. Moreover, 2 Research Centers focus their activity on genomics and imaging and 3 Research Institutes conduct research activities on specific themes of research: HSR-TIGET, (San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy), INSPE, (Institute of Experimental Neurology), and DRI, (Diabetes Research Institute). San Raffaele scientists in 2011 produced a total of 943 publications, 10% of which appeared in the top level scientific journals (IF greater than 10). From 2008 to 2011 the number of publications increased by almost 30%, and the total impact factor increased by more than 40%. Based on these results the Institute is the most highly ranked Italian IRCCS in terms of scientific productivity. San Raffaele research is also productive in the generation of patents through which scientific results can be turned into new therapies or new diagnostic approaches with industrial support.
San Raffaele is also home to clinical trials, whose number and quality continue to rise. Indeed, research represents a major strength of the Institute in terms of ability to design and conduct clinical trials and to attract funding from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
Alongside the Hospital, the private Vita-Salute San Raffaele University was established in 1996 and now hosts the Faculties of Medicine, of Psychology and of Philosophy. Furthermore, the teaching activities include, besides a whole range of Residency Programs, an international Ph.D. school in Molecular Medicine.
