Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital

The Ilsong Institute of Life Science under Hallym University has successfully hosted The 15th Ilsong International Symposium on “Prion Biology and Diseases” at Ilsong Building on October 11, 2013.

Organized by Ilsong Institute of Life Science and supported by Basic Science Research Program and Hallym-Uppsala Research Network for International Cooperation of NRF (National Research Foundation of Korea, distinguished scholars from Hallym University, Nagasaki University, University of Padova and University of Melbourne shared their experience and knowledge to address issues related to prion biology and diseases.

The Ilsong Institute of Life Science was established in 1994 to transform Hallym into a frontier institute specializing in life science. It has launched an annual symposium since 1995 by inviting leading scholars in related field in Japan and other countries.

The specific programs including topics and speakers are as follows:

■ Session 1
Plasticity reduction in the aged brain: How and Why?
(Nozomu Mori, PhD, Nagasaki University)
Calsenilin regulates RhoA-mediated neurite outgrowth and Tau phosphorylation
(Hee Jun Kim, PhD, Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University)
The prion protein in the control of neuronal Ca2+ movements
(M. Catia Sorgato, PhD, University of Padova)

■ Session 2
The abundance of PrPc is a critical factor for PMCA
(Chongsuk Ryou, PhD, Hanyang University)
Modification of Lys residue on the pathogenic prion isoform with N ε- carboxymethyl
(Yeong Gon Choi, PhD, Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University)
Exploring the biological function of the prion protein in muscles
(Alessandro Bertoli, PhD, University of Padova, Italy)

■ Session 3
Strain characterization of the Korean CWD cases
(Hyun Joo Sohn, PhD, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency)
Defining Korean Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease strains and their transmissible properties
(Yun Jung Lee, PhD, Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University)
Intercellular trafficking of prions in exosome vesicles
(Andrew F. Hill, PhD, University of Melbourne)

Miju Kim, Int’l Cooperation Team, HUMC, miju@hallym.or.kr