Rational design of HIV vaccine and microbicides: report of the EUROPRISE annual conference

• Main Authors: Mainetti Lara, Klein Katja, Hornig Julia, Hallengärd David, Grupping Katrijn, Dispinseri Stefania, Dieltjens Tessa, De Haes Winni, Da Costa Kelly, Coleman Adam, Borggren Marie, Biswas Priscilla, Wahren Britta, Palma Paolo, Reudelsterz Marc, Seifried Janna, Selhorst Philippe, Sköld Annette, van Gils Marit J, Weber Caroline, Shattock Robin, Scarlatti Gabriella
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2010-07-01
• Series: Journal of Translational Medicine
• Online Access: http://www.translational-medicine.com/content/8/1/72

<p>Abstract</p> <p>EUROPRISE is a Network of Excellence sponsored from 2007 to 2011 by the European Commission within the 6th Framework Program. The Network encompasses a wide portfolio of activities ranging from an integrated research program in the field of HIV vaccines and microbicides to training, dissemination and advocacy. The research program covers the whole pipeline of vaccine and microbicide development from discovery to early clinical trials. The Network is composed of 58 partners representing more than 65 institutions from 13 European countries; it also includes three major pharmaceutical companies (GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis and Sanofi-Pasteur) involved in HIV microbicide and vaccine research. The Network displays a dedicated and informative web page: <url>http://www.europrise.org</url>. Finally, a distinguishing trait of EUROPRISE is its PhD School of students from across Europe, a unique example in the world of science aimed at spreading excellence through training.</p> <p>EUROPRISE held its second annual conference in Budapest in November, 2009. The conference had 143 participants and their presentations covered aspects of vaccine and microbicide research, development and discovery. Since training is a major task of the Network, the students of the EUROPRISE PhD program summarized certain presentations and their view of the conference in this paper.</p>