Special Sessions
The Scientific Committee of the MedLIFE-24 invites submissions of research abstracts on all cross-cutting themes of life sciences, with a main focus on these Conference Tracks.
Submissions for additional conference tracks (e.g., special sessions, satellite events, etc.) are solicited from the Scientific Community by September 30, 2024.
If you are interested in proposing a special session and/or a satellite event, please follow this example and send your proposal to contact@med-life.org.
The approved special sessions and satellite events are listed below (click to open):
Special Sessions
49 Human Health and Environmental Risk Assessment
MedLIFE-24 will host a special session and expert meeting focusing on chemical contaminants in the Mediterranean. The session will attempt to cover a range of contaminants in the Mediterranean, such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs such as PFAS and flame retardants), trace metals, PAHs, endocrine disruptors and microplastics. Matrices can be marine organisms, sediments, water and air. Passive sampling in water or air studies may also be reported. The emphasis will be on effects of contaminants on human health and the environment and risk assessment. Studies on specific point sources are also welcome.
This special session aims bringing together environmental chemists and toxicologists from Mediterranean countries to discuss current challenges in environmental and human health impact of polluting substances. Experts are encouraged to share their latest research papers and join this session.
Comparative research studies on this issue from other parts of the world will also be considered.
Convener
Jacob de Boer
Editorial Board of the Handbook of Environmental Chemistry (Springer)
Dutch Government Health Expert (Tata Steel Operations)
Chinese Government National Expert (2013–2018)
United Nations Environment Program Advisor
Board Member of International BFR Symposia Series
Vrije University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
50 Expanding One Health Concept to Lifestyle and Healthy Aging through Redox Modulation and Telomeres/Telomerase Dynamics
According to the “ONE HEALTH” concept, a well-trained redox system, capable of providing suitable responses to various environmental challenges, will be able to maintain the well-being of any life form in the soil, water, and atmosphere. The purpose of this Special Session is to better understand how the redox system functions as an adaptive biochemical system, transversal to all living organisms, in order to be able to modulate it adequately in the event of disease.
Endogenous and exogenous antioxidant barriers are key to the well-being of any terrestrial, aquatic or atmospheric holobiont in order to face the great threats of climate change, pollution, and any other factors that may affect the biochemical processes necessary for life.
Your contributions regarding not only redox mechanisms, alone or in interaction with endogenous and exogenous antioxidants, but also in relation to the dynamics of telomeres, telomerase, and aging, are welcome. We also welcome impact studies, not only on all life forms within the Mediterranean basin, but also comparative studies regarding the Mediterranean and other areas of the world.
Conveners
Immaculata De Vivo
Melanie Mason Niemiec 71 Faculty Codirector of the Sciences, Harvard Radcliffe Institute
Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Professor of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Eugenio Luigi lorio
President of the Università Popolare “Medicina degli Stili di Vita – Lifestyle Medicine” (Ascea, Italy)
President of the International Observatory of Oxidative Stress (Italy, Japan, Brazil, Greece)
Honorary Member of the Japanese Society of Comprehensive Pain Medicine
Academic Advisor of Wismerll Redox Center (Tokyo, Japan)
Directory Board Member of the Italian Association of Andrologists (ASSAI)
Directory Board Member of the Medical Association Kousmine Italy (AMIK)
Scientific Directory Board Member of the International Society of Regenerative Medicine and Surgery (SIMCRI)
Member of the Mediterranean Round Table Project 2017 (Boston, MA, USA)
Coordinator of the Course of Post-graduation in Integrative Medicine at the UNIUBE University (Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil)
Neuroscience Biomedicine and Movement Sciences Department, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
Francesca Ciani
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Invited Speakers
51 Envinronmental Contaminants of Emerging Concerns: a Silent Risk for Aquatic Organisms
Human waste, or anthropogenic litter, has been found in food webs, aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric systems, indicating that it may be recirculating through ecosystems in a manner akin to that of naturally occurring materials. The study of anthropogenic litter from the perspective of ecological subsidies is uncommon, but it has the potential to advance the field of study. Previous research has concentrated particularly on anthropogenic subsidies in the form of chemical contaminants. Scientists are still warning about the pervasiveness of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) and their detrimental effects on the environment and human health. People are becoming more concerned about the pervasive CECs around the world due to growing scientific knowledge, ecological concerns, health-related issues for humans, socioeconomic challenges and awareness, and disproportionate community exposures. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, biomedical products, personal care products (PCPs), micro and nano plastics, and pesticides are the substances that CECs are most concerned about. Across the world, there is still interest in and worry about the persistence of CECs in the aquatic ecosystem. CECs are routinely dumped into aquatic habitats, where they damage entire ecosystems and present major health risks. Endocrine disrupting chemicals are among the CECs that cost society the most due to an increase in sickness and disability, yet unlike other toxicant classes like carcinogens, they are not yet regulated as a category of hazard. Scientific research spanning decades has demonstrated that EDCs have been found to feminize aquatic organisms and have been associated with changes in immune responses, sexual differentiation and maturity, development, growth, and behavior, as well as nervous system functions, cancers, obesity, heart health, and neurological and learning disabilities.
This special session looks at how EDCs affect aquatic life, and it clarifies why studies focused on this field are very important to preserve biodiversity and human health. The session aims to gather research works on the silent risks posed by environmental contaminants of emerging concern and contribute to the global effort to protect aquatic organisms and ecosystems. Environmental chemists, toxicologists, and ecologists are encouraged to submit their latest research on emerging contaminants. The session seeks to foster interdisciplinary dialogue, encouraging experts from Mediterranean countries and beyond to share insights, methodologies, and comparative studies that highlight regional and global challenges. Studies that provide comparative analyses with findings from other parts of the world are particularly welcome, as they can offer valuable context and understanding of the global scale of these emerging threats.
Conveners
Davide Di Paola
Enrico Gugliandolo
52 The Mediterranean Microbiomes and Omics-Guided Investigations
MedLIFE-24 will host a special session and expert meeting focusing on Mediterranean microbiomes and omics-guided studies, involving the bioinformatics research community. The session will attempt to cover diverse environments (e.g., marine, aerosol, soil, extreme habitats, etc.) and human health fields. Topics addressed will include the latest tips and tricks in designing reproducible microbiome studies, spanning from DNA/RNA extraction to recent cutting-edge Next-generation sequencing (NGS) (short reads vs. long reads) methods and omics computational pipelines (e.g., metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metabolomics). Additionally, the session will cover how to curate and analyse NGS data before making it publicly available.
This special session aims to bring together microbiome experts from Mediterranean countries to overcome current challenges in omics studies, set common goals, share computing resources, and train young bioinformaticians prepared for the new era of big data. Experts are encouraged to share their latest research papers (and mini reviews) and join the session to contribute their expertise, including user-friendly scripts for analysing NGS data and workflows.
Conveners
Andrea Franzetti
Alif Chebbi
Invited Speakers
Andrea Franzetti
Bruna Matturro
Noureddine El Aouad
Soumaya Kouidhi
University of Manouba, Tunis, Tunisia
Hedia Bourguiba
Afef Najjari
Oussama Souiai
Institute Pasteur of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
Iteb Boughattas
Laboratory of Agrobiodiversity and Ecotoxicology, Higher Institute of Agronomy of Chott-Meriem,
University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
Collaborator
53 Reproductive Disorders and Modern Life Style
This session will focus on the increasing reproductive disorders such as infertility, congenital anomalies or decreased fecundity that might be induced by mycotoxins food contamination or micro pollutants such as perfume stabilizers, plasticisers or even heavy metal contamination. Some of such disorder inducing agent might have a transgenerational impact.
The session will be a trail to gather the research work concerning pollutants and microchemicals that might affect human or animal reproductive capacity and also the possibility to recover from such disorders.
Researchers are encouraged to submit their papers concerning this session’s topics. It will be a good chance for experts from different Mediterranean countries to share their knowledge and to find solutions to overcome the reproductive disorders issues.
Conveners
Reda A. Ali
54 Neurological Diseases and the Role of Complementary Medicine in Management of these Disorders
This special session will address the unique challenges presented by neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and stroke as well as mood disorders. Additionally, the session will explore the integration and efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine approaches specifically focussing on natural compounds, dietary regimen, herbal medicine and other lifestyle interventions. A short hapttitude session cum workshop with light exercises to relieve stress and foster positive mindset will be the key attraction to students and researchers.
Key Highlight Features:
- Regional Epidemiology and affecting factors: Insights into the prevalence and incidence of major neurological diseases.
- Complementary Medicine Approaches: Discussion on the use of complementary medicine practices such as herbal medicine, nutritional therapies, exercise and other life style interventions in managing neurological diseases.
- Cultural Perspectives: Consideration of cultural attitudes towards complementary medicine and how they influence treatment choices.
- Innovative Therapies: Presentation of cutting-edge complementary and integrative therapies for neurological diseases.
- HAPTITTUDE session: A workshop cum session of 1 hour for students as well as working professionals fostering the positive mindset by renowned Hapttitude coaches.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Bringing together neurologists, researchers, and practitioners of complementary medicine to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing.
- Networking Opportunities: Structured networking sessions to promote collaboration and partnership among attendees from diverse fields.
- Interactive Panels: Engaging panel discussions with opportunities for audience Q&A, facilitating a dynamic exchange of ideas.
This special session aims to bring together experts from all around the world to discuss the current challenges and advancements in understanding and treating neurological diseases, with a particular focus on the role and integration of complementary medicine. This forum will foster collaboration and the sharing of the latest research findings and clinical experiences tailored to this unique geographic and cultural context.
Conveners
Anuradha Sharma
Pretty Bhalla
Mittal School of Business, Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India
Invited Speakers
Gurpreet Kaur Grewal
Genomics and Molecular Medicine Unit, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Mall Road, Delhi, India
Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
Satellite Events
55 Exploring One-Health Dimensions: Experience and Case Studies
Since 2021, The International One-Health Conference has been gathering prominent experts from institutions, academia, and international organisations in health and environmental sectors to bring One-Health topics at the centre of the scientific discussion. International One Health Conference In the last edition in Catania in 2022, the conference has received more than 40 scientific contributions, involving at least 270 authors from all over the world (see Proceedings). The highest level speakers (from WHO, The Lancet Countdown, ISGlobal, ICLEI, CNR) on the topic have been invited as guest lecturers to provide the forefront insights, innovations and relevant themes into the discussion. A key feature of the conference has always been to foster results at a policy level, producing also Position Papers by the Scientific Committee that have been brought at ministerial and high-level international venues like UNFCCC COP26, COP27, and COP28.
The One Health approach to the problems of the sustainability of the planet and the maintenance of quality of life is a transdisciplinary approach that can be summarized in some main themes: environmental complexity and climate change, sustainability of urban and agricultural systems and biodiversity, disease and antimicrobial systems resistance, and knowledge transfer. Therefore, the challenges linked to this approach are numerous and complex, making it necessary to clarify the different dimensions, not only to students (medicine, agriculture, engineering, law, economics, etc.) and stakeholders, but also and above all, to political decision-makers, to provide them with important support as they examine the complex health and socioeconomic issues for policies.
With this in mind, the satellite event will embrace the interconnectedness of Environmental, Digital, Social, Policies, and Participatory dimensions, delving into the multifaceted aspects of One-Health. Through a comprehensive exploration, attendees will witness the convergence of disciplines and perspectives to address pressing global health challenges. We will invite speakers to discuss antimicrobial resistance and climate change with a One-health approach, Malnutrition, migration and wars, Energy sustainability, urbanization and nature-based solutions, diseases and movement of species and vectors, Ecoanxiety, extreme events and alteration of ecosystems, Urban Health and intersectoral interventions. The various concepts will be illustrated through experiences and case studies on the health impacts associated with various environmental and ecosystem problems and by trying to identify good practices that can help resolve current global health issues and the need for cross-disciplinary funding sources to foster an OH approach.
Early-career scientists and senior experts are encouraged to submit their most current research to participate in this MedLIFE-24 Satellite Event with their cutting-edge understanding of these aspects.
Conveners
Domenico Vito
Paris Observatory – HubZine Italia, Milan, Italy
Margherita Ferrante