Mission
To improve world health through a better understanding of adipose biology.
Description
The International Federation of Adipose Therapeutics & Science (IFATS), a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization incorporated in August of 2002, is dedicated to facilitating the development of new technology derived from and directed toward adipose tissue. IFATS is a leading source of information about adipose biology and related technology. The Society identifies new technology and brings together scientists and industry for productive collaborations. Such collaborations will relate to adipose tissue, with far-reaching applications in obesity reduction products and services, fat–derived stromal and cell-based therapies, and fat-applied instrumentation devices which may be directly translated to therapeutic application. IFATS’ current scientific areas of interest relate to facilitating the development of treatments for excess body fat, the generation of new fat tissue for reconstruction after cancer or birth-related defects, and the use of adipose tissue as a source of mesenchymal stem cells that have the potential to regenerate and repair many different tissues of the body. IFATS is currently the world’s only interdisciplinary fat tissue society. IFATS hope is to serve as the premier global incubator in the field of fat applied and derived technology.
Scope
Medically, the obesity crisis has become a major world health issue and is responsible for a tremendous number of premature deaths. Scientifically, fat tissue is no longer viewed as a passive structural tissue, but as a complex endocrine gland. The challenge of controlling such hormonal mechanisms has stimulated research in endocrinology and internal medicine as well as in a multitude of other disciplines such as neurosurgery, and plastic surgery. Present in abundant quantities, fat is recognized as a unique, simple, virtually unlimited source of autologous, stem and stromal cells, extra-cellular matrix components, and soluble factors. The scope of adipose derived therapies span from life-threatening illnesses to chronic conditions, including heart disease, problems with circulation to the legs, stroke, neurological disorders, diabetes, obesity, hemophilia, autoimmune diseases, kidney disease, bone and joint problems and others. In the current climate of interest in obesity reduction and autologous therapies, IFATS aims to facilitate the joining of these varied disciplines of scientists together with private industry to take scientific advancement from “bench to bedside.”
Activities
IFATS exists to help build a worldwide team of researchers and clinicians actively studying and translating their work in ASCs. IFATS sponsored its first such meeting in Mallorca, Spain on May 25-28, 2003. Scientists gathered to lecture about new developments and to meet with select industry sponsors to discuss potential collaborations. IFATS created a successful educational and networking environment, bringing together scientific researchers, clinicians, and private industry, helping foster mutually beneficial alliances. In 2008, IFATS will be celebrating its Sixth Annual International Conference in Toulouse, France.
Leadership of the Society
Co-Presidents:
Anne Bouloumie, PhD
Team Leader AVENIR INSERM U858
Toulouse, France
Louis Casteilla, PhD
Professor, Institut Louis Bugnard
Toulouse, France
Immediate Past President:
Keith L. March, MD, PhD
Professor of Medicine, Cellular & Integrative Physiology, and Biomedical Engineering
Indiana University School of Medicine Director, Indiana Center for Vascular Biology and Medicine
Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation Chair in Vascular Biology and Medicine
Scientific Program Chairs:
Dr. Jae Ho Jeong
Professor, Yeungnam University
Dr. Sang Hong Baek
Director, Cell Therapy Center
KangNam St Mary’s Hospital
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