organized by

Lothar Lucka
Bernhard Singer
Werner Reutter

Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie
Arnimallee 22, D-14195 Berlin-Dahlem

Aim of the 15th Annual CEA Symposium in Berlin/Potsdam-Babelsberg

The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) protein is well known for the occurrence in serum of patients suffering from various types of epithelial tumors. Since its discovery in 1965 it was used as an important diagnostic and prognostic marker of tumor progression. In the past 15 years, the existence of 28 genes/pseudogenes structurally related to the CEA gene became obvious. These are composed of the CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) and the PSG (pregnancy specific glycoprotein) subgroup. Homologs to some of these genes have been found in other vertebrates as well. Since renomenclaturing in 1999, members of this protein family, which in turn belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily, are referred as carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecules (CEACAMs). CEA family members act multifunctional. They function as cell adhesion molecules, but have also a role in other important cellular processes. They control cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as cell death. Tumor progression, control of immune cell activation, insulin clearance, and the development of new blood vessels are influenced and several CEACAMs serve as receptors for different pathogens.

Since 1990, the Annual CEA Symposium allows scientists with such diverse interests to meet and to generate collaborations. It also provides the opportunity for scientists coming from other fields to enter the CEA research field and brings together people, mainly interested in the basic understanding of the CEA or PSG protein function with scientists from clinical departments.

Active participants, interested in the progress of CEA research are welcome. Young scientists as well as group leaders are invited. Like known from Gordon Research Conferences, predominantly unpublished data will be presented and discussed. This symposium/workshop will provide a stimulatory environment for the dissemination of new data and exchange of new ideas, allowing advancements in any of the fields to rapidly impact each of the others.

This symposium has a tradition of increasing our understanding of the CEA family, and recent work in several areas, e.g. analysis of CEACAMs in tumor growth or regulation of the immune response, promises to make the 2005 meeting no exception!

The 15th Annual International CEA Symposium will be held at the "Hotel am Griebnitzsee", Potsdam-Babelsberg, within 40 minutes drive from Berlin-Tegel Airport. Being situated in an region with great history, old buildings, beautiful lakes and forests, the meeting will provide an ideal atmosphere to discuss newest insights into the CEA molecules.

We look forward to seeing you in Berlin/Potsdam next summer!

Lothar Lucka
Bernhard Singer
Werner Reutter

PROGRAM

A detailed conference schedule will be available after the deadline for abstract submission.

Results will be presented by oral presentation (lectures and short talks) or poster presentation (with "mini talks").

The meeting will be opened with reception and dinner in the evening of July 21; the scientific program begins in the next morning and ends in the early afternoon on Sunday, July 24.

Topics will include

Infection via CEACAM Receptors
CEACAMs in the Immune Response
Structure, Expression and Dynamics of CEA Proteins
Role of Different CEA Proteins in Cellular Differentiation and Cancer Progression

GENERAL INFORMATION

Deadlines
Abstract Submission
Conference Fees
Accommodation
Conference Location
Travel Information
Links

Deadlines

Abstract Submission

Deadline was June 1, 2005.
Abstracts should be submitted as an attached Microsoft Word document by Email to Lothar.Lucka@Charite.de
Please note the guidelines for abstract submission.

Conference Fees

Payment is to be made in cash on-site. Fees include accommodation for 3 nights, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Accommodation

Participants will stay in
Hotel am Griebnitzsee
Rudolf-Breitscheid-Str. 190-192, 14482 Potsdam-Babelsberg
Fon: ++49-331-7091-0; Fax: ++49-331-7091-11
E-Mail: griebnitzsee@seminaris.de

The Hotel is situated in Babelsberg, a district of Potsdam, right at the lake Griebnitzsee.
Reservation of comfortable rooms will be carried out by the organizer after pre-registration. Note that there is only a limited number of single rooms available.
The meeting rooms will be inside the hotel.

Conference Location

"Very close to Berlin" ... but not right in the middle of it. Feeling the pulse of the metropolis, but without the noise and hectic of the big city: At the Griebnitzsee, in Babelsberg, a district of Potsdam, the hotel is situated directly on the shore of the lake. With 20 castles, the largest park and castle area north of the Alps, and the 1000 year-old city of Potsdam has been declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. The castle Sanssouci and Cecilienhof are world-famous. But also the numerous museums, galleries, theatres and classic concerts are worth a visit. A number of lakes and large wooden areas around Potsdam offer wonderful opportunities to relax. The metropolitan Berlin with its famous buildings and cultural event places borders Potsdam and is an ideal destination for eventful day trips by boat, car or subway.

Additional information on Potsdam and Berlin is available under potsdam.de and berlin.de.

Travel Information

Airport
International airports: Tegel and Schönefeld, national: Tempelhof (40 km); 40 min

Train
Mainstation »Potsdam« for ICE, IC, EC, RE and S-Bahn (4 km) or
Station »Griebnitzsee« for RE-, N- and S-Bahn; (100 m)

Motorways
Coming from the interstate A10 (Berliner Ring) exit "Dreieck Nuthetal" to the A115, go ahead to exit "Potsdam-Babelsberg". Follow "Nuthe-Straße" to exit "Medienstadt Babelsberg". Please follow the green hotel guiding route in Potsdam.

Detailed instructions will be given in the next announcement.

Links

The CEA Family Hompage
Since the discovery of CEA in 1965, a great deal of data has been collected concerning this interesting family of proteins in different species. Many areas of research have been brought together through the CEA family, including basic and applied oncology, pregnancy studies, virology, bacteriology, evolutionary studies, etc.
The overall aim of this site is to give up-to-the-minute information on the nomenclature, structure and function of CEA family molecules.

CONTACT

General queries

Accommodation

Abstracts

Organizer